A Tail of Air Layering Gone Horribly Wrong

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FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1313854219	Reply with quote #1

Having only just recently turned into a full-fledged fignut and at the urging of my N. Florida F4F compatriots, it was suggested I air-layer my irreplaceable European scions lest I lose one or two during the winter. I was a little hesitant, thinking that the process would be long and tedious and fraught with pitfalls. It turned out to be all of that but also quite fun and addictive. Below are pictures of my first air-layerings: All fine and good, but after finishing another dozen or so air-layerings, the compulsion to continue was overpowering. After a long internal struggle I tore away from the fig trees and forced myself back inside away from temptation. Here is my beautiful King Charles spaniel, Bella minding her own business: Here she is a few minutes later. Fortunately, I never adopted the girdling technique. __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

Johnparav

Registered:1282396529
Posts: 479

Posted 1313855276	Reply with quote #2

Someone's a sick puppy . And it ain't the dog . I had a good laugh . ... John

afigfan

Registered:1290133866
Posts: 220

Posted 1313855315	Reply with quote #3

If your going to air layer a dog you might want to air layer the other end. Just kidding! This fig stuff IS hard to resist. __________________ -James In search of: Gypsy/Zingarella, Cammuna Small Black, and Barada cuttings(even one bud wonders)

rafed

Registered:1252876934
Posts: 5,308

Posted 1313855556	Reply with quote #4

You were supposed to start with the legs.

daygrower

Registered:1253140105
Posts: 256

Posted 1313861211	Reply with quote #5

Thats great Frank my family was wondering why I was laughing so hard __________________ Jim zone 8b Live Oak Fl.

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1313862343	Reply with quote #6

Hope you don't have kids lol

genecolin

Registered:1248866064
Posts: 1,542

Posted 1313863871	Reply with quote #7

Frank, when I read the subject of this post I couldn't hardly open it fast enough. I have just finished, well maybe, airlaying about a dozen branches on my trees and I was wondering what could have gone so wrong and did I make the same mistake. Hahaha. It got a loud laugh from me, let me tell you something that's some funny stuff. "gene" __________________ From the bayou, "gene" zone 9 Houma, La.

FrozenJoe

Registered:1244509224
Posts: 1,115

Posted 1313863992	Reply with quote #8

That must be pay back for nibbling on your figs. :) __________________ Joe Phoenix Area (Zone 9) I am MrFrozenJoe on YouTube. I am arizonafigs on eBay.

goldie

Registered:1287693665
Posts: 61

Posted 1313867121	Reply with quote #9

I needed a good laugh, thanks

TucsonKen

Registered:1246833094
Posts: 1,298

Posted 1313870063	Reply with quote #10

Once you've air layered a whole litter, send me a PM. I might be interested in a trade, if my cat will hold still long enough for me to get a few started. How wet should the kitty litter be before packing it around her tail? __________________ Ken Tucson, Arizona Zone 8b

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1313871693	Reply with quote #11

I was already laughing my butt off at the pictures but the additional comments really had me rolling. Ken, yours is an especially good addition - LOL! I wish this would work on "Benjamins"! I'd grow a whole crop. Good stuff guys. __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1313889640	Reply with quote #12

Have you tried air-layering a duplicate wife? In case you lose the first one? __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1313889712	Reply with quote #13

Would you really want a duplicate wife???

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1313899030	Reply with quote #14

Jim, if the spca comes a knocking, I'm going to have to implicate you as the one who got me started in this air layering business. :) Ken, unless your kitty has a pedigree, no can do. ;)) Jon, I'm already having to fight my wife for the green ischias, I don't need another one to battle me for the almas. ::))) __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

TucsonKen

Registered:1246833094
Posts: 1,298

Posted 1313900984	Reply with quote #15

Oh, fine--now you tell me. What am I going to do with all these kittens??? __________________ Ken Tucson, Arizona Zone 8b

Caneyscud

Registered:1299861260
Posts: 244

Posted 1314023239	Reply with quote #16

Joh, Can you air-layer one from the chin down? I didn't really say that did I? My wife doesn't nag me, my wife doesn't nag me - I deserve it, my wife doesn't nag me - I deserve it! There now I'm cured. __________________ Your Friendly Neighborhood Troglodyte

leon_edmond

Registered:1188903453
Posts: 923

Posted 1314029984	Reply with quote #17

Is that a fic-as

DaveBNFl

Registered:1301495917
Posts: 53

Posted 1314030237	Reply with quote #18

FMD LMAO. Indeed we Figgers are a breed apart.((((: BTW what is the fig plant in the first pic ? I have one with very simalar leaves I bought at Lowe'$ as a Black Mission. Dave.

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1314031434	Reply with quote #19

Leon, if by fic-as you meant fic-ass as in tail, yes it is. :) Dave, you have a good eye. The tree in the first pic is indeed from Lowe's. They labeled mine a Magnolia! What kind of a mislabeling system do they run up there anyway? They can't even label the same wrong tree consistently with the same wrong name. :) Has yours borne any fruit yet? Can't wait to see what it turns out to be. BTW, check your PM when you have a minute. Frank __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

DaveBNFl

Registered:1301495917
Posts: 53

Posted 1314033875	Reply with quote #20

FMD checked the PMs. Thanks will do. I feared it was Brunswick,but thought is was possible Vista Black Mission or one like on Jon's site. It was 10 Bucks. It was so dry I didn't expect it to live. Lowes will take dead ones back with refund so I figgured I would rescue it. Fig plants must be a lot tougher than we usually think.It was dry as dust the plant and pot were weightless. I Potted it up and it has been growing ever since. No fruit yet though. Thanks Again. Later Dave.

daygrower

Registered:1253140105
Posts: 256

Posted 1314038389	Reply with quote #21

Hey Frank if the spca doesn't find you I get the layer when it roots right :) __________________ Jim zone 8b Live Oak Fl.

Registered:1252379847
Posts: 1,162

Posted 1314039388	Reply with quote #22

When Bella realized what you have done.... Meanwhile, what did you do? Sphagnum or potting mix? Foil only, plastic bag, or re-purposed water bottle? And how large are those foil pockets? I am having trouble seeing the relationship between the potential root ball and the size of the layer. I want to make sure you will be very happy not only after you cut off the layer but several weeks after that. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

nepen

Registered:1313691439
Posts: 58

Posted 1314040765	Reply with quote #23

I had a hard time understanding what air layering means until today!! Thanks for a good laugh :) Anya __________________ North Carolina ~~~~~~~~~~~~

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1314109153	Reply with quote #24

Quote: Originally Posted by JD Meanwhile, what did you do? Sphagnum or potting mix? Foil only, plastic bag, or re-purposed water bottle? And how large are those foil pockets? I am having trouble seeing the relationship between the potential root ball and the size of the layer. Well, JD, I used a couple of variations, sphagnum in some, peat+vermiculite+perlite in others. I used 16 oz clear cups in some and foil molds from a drinking bottle in others. I may have overdone it with the saran wrap, but I wanted to make sure the media remained moist. You will be happy to know that in Bella's case, a simple foil wrap was applied to the tail end without any further accouterments. :) Advisory: No Animals Were Harmed During the Making of This Forum Thread.... __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

TucsonKen

Registered:1246833094
Posts: 1,298

Posted 1314109549	Reply with quote #25

Slightly embarrassed maybe, but definitely not harmed! __________________ Ken Tucson, Arizona Zone 8b

Caneyscud

Registered:1299861260
Posts: 244

Posted 1314129121	Reply with quote #26

But she did get her 15 seconds of fame! __________________ Your Friendly Neighborhood Troglodyte

daygrower

Registered:1253140105
Posts: 256

Posted 1314129813	Reply with quote #27

Hey Frank When you remove the airlayers let us know which method worked best for you. I am a creature of habit and lazy take a 1 inch piece of bark off the branch get a handfull of sphagnum put it on a piece of foil and wrap it around the branch -Done I have also always cut the top off at about 8" after removing the airlayer. Thats just how my Dad taught me back 40 years ago when we did crotons in Miami it worked then and it works now. But I am sure there is a better way. __________________ Jim zone 8b Live Oak Fl.

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1314142246	Reply with quote #28

Jim, I just air-layered 3 Petit Negri branches for you, using your simplified technique. Next in line are my two cats and a canary. __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

daygrower

Registered:1253140105
Posts: 256

Posted 1314142477	Reply with quote #29

Thanks Frank Can't wait to see the little canary with foil all over him __________________ Jim zone 8b Live Oak Fl.

AnnieBee

Registered:1303216239
Posts: 95

Posted 1314206292	Reply with quote #30

Thankfully, my evil little Corgi doesn't have a tail, so there is only a small chance I would air-layer her. Thanks for the smile!

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