For some reason my VDB does not agree with air layers. I've lost both the air layers I attempted on one of my VDB's in the same fashion. The first sign is see is limp leaves then in short order they curl up and die. Both times I removed a ring of bark about an inch wide and both times they failed with in 3 weeks. From now on I will not remove any bark and just wrap it. Anyone else experience this with VDB or is it just me?

Yeah that happened to me also.....I found RKN and it made the tree weak.   They say Root Knot Nematodes can attach to fig roots if you have citrus trees in the area.

Shailesh I think Armando is talking about people in warmer climates that grow citrus in ground shouldn't have figs planted nearby.

Note: A few of my trees that were in the ground got infected roots.(RKN) ..........You can dig up around the lemon tree and see if the roots look healthy.....I would think this would help decide...?????   My mom's backyard is full of fruit trees and I think that one of the citrus trees has the RKN.

Hi blueboy1977,
Are you speaking of an inch in height ? I'm asking because it should be a ring - like a wedding ring and no more so 2 mm or 1/15 of inch .
My way of doing: I never girdle, and still they root . IMO, the timing is important . June and July are the best months for that, because both the air-layer and the mother-tree have still time to
put some growth after being trimmed .

Rob,

That is why I don't girdle.

The thing with citrus and RKN........citrus don't cause RKN to happen.  They are linked a bit though as the ground that 20 years ago that was a citrus orchard and is now covered in homes is very likely to be horribly infected by RKN.  The nasty little microscopic worms like hot, dry organic matter starved soils and that is the description of citrus groves.  Best thing you can do to get rid of RKN is make your soil rich is organic matter by mulching heavily.  Not only does that add organic content it makes the soil cooler and moist.  

Rob - I am not an expert on air layering, but I prefer to girdle without any issues.  What type of medium are you using?


 


   


   


 

Thanks for the response. The girdle I cut is about 3/4 of an inch. I've had much success so far with every variety of fig that I've air layered. Smith, BM, RDB no problems at all! It's the same mix I've used for all the others. I get the MG orchid mix which is very lite and mix it with alittle potting soil for moisture and a handful of perlite. I think it may just be this particular plant. I believe the soil has compacted some in the pot and the roots my be starved of air at the bottom. I just don't think the plant can handle the stress of the sun, air layer and compacted soil. That being said I don't think it I will girdle any more on air layers. I always see roots forming above and below the girdle anyway so I'm not sure it's 100% needed any way.