Hello folks,

I just attempted my first fig air layers on 2 trees. While I have successfully  air layered other plants before, it has been quite a while since I've attempted it and I have never tried it with a fig tree before. So naturally I am wondering about how long from this point til I will be able to cut them free and pot up new trees? Can some one let  me know what the average time might be? Are some figs quicker than others as is the case with rooting scion?

Thanks,

Barry 

They take different amounts of time, depending on variety, probably between 4 weeks and 16 weeks. There is not advantage to being in a hurry. he more roots that develop, the better for post removal survival and thriving. I have some that I started late last summer, and didn't get them removed last Fall. They have over-wintered, and maybe this week I'll get around to removing them. They are still fine.

Thanks Jon, That gives me a reasonable time frame to deal with. Kinda figured some varieties are easier or faster than others, plus the added effects of other circumstances such as temps, maturity or size of the limb being layered etc.   

Fig tree air layers usually root faster if you first "scratch" the nodes with some sandpaper. This exposes the cambium layer. The scratching will create a wound and induce root formation. Even if you do not scratch or cut a ring.....they should eventually root if you ensure the rooting mix stays damp and does not cook in the hot sun.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your response. Yes I did scratch the bark off around a couple nodes, but with a knife. I then used long fiber sphagnum moss as my rooting medium and wrapped the thing with saran warp, taping the ends and seam. Both air layers are at the bottom of fairly sizeable trees so are somewhat shaded too. I will let everyone know how things go in a month or so.

Barry     

Barry,

I have three air-layering going on now which I started a while back.

I will be home and hopefully this Thursday and I will inspect them to see if they are ready for cutting. I will wait longer if I think they need more time.

The longer you give them the better the odds are. This method can be 100% a success if you are patient enough.

I have done this quite a few times with a 100% success rating.

I followed Jons instructions he has in his website. Follow it step by step.
He has included pics to show you examples.

Something curious that I've noticed from my airlayers was that most of the roots don't come out from the cut, but always just above or below, although the cut section does change in texture to resemble root tissue.

Rafed,

100% sounds good, hope I experience the same.  That is certainly better than the results I have had with scion!! I will look at Jon's instructions again. I believe he uses a plastic bottle. I may be layering a couple more trees.

Barry,

I remember last year I did a couple on a Peters Honey.
One was done off a medium ball my little kid had. He didn't need it anyway. LOL

I put a slit right down the middle on one side with half inch holes on either ends and squeezed the branch through and filled with moist moss and mix combo. Taped it up and wrapped it with foil and in less then two months it was cut up and potted.

Just about anything will work as long as you can seal it air tight.
Pots work just as well but need to keep moist my watering and takes a bit longer.

I am also doing some cups and pots along with the air-layers.

I don't like to waste a sucker if I know someone could get use out of it. Especially a good or rare variant.

That certainly is a creative use for a ball LOL. I guess you really can use just about anything provided you are able to seal it and keep it moist. Hope you replaced the ball for your kid! Yeah I don't like to waste a cutting either, much rather pot it up and try to root it and find it a good home. 

Thought I would post these pics of my air layers I am doing now.

The pic of the big tree with foil is my Fiorone De Ruvo. I had messed it up so I decided to air layer the top part to try and save it. Looks like I acted to soon and now I will have two trees soon. The leaves you see are all new and less than six or seven weeks old. If I think the roots are well enough for me to cut the tree then I will clip most of the leaves off. That way the roots will be able to develop more

The two other pics are my Sequoia tree. I am doing this with a cup. The dis-advantage with the cup is I cannot see the roots. I will have to guess and to be on the safe side I might wait another month to cut it. Next time I will use a clear cup.

I am doing the Sequoia for a very good fig friend and will try to do a couple more for him and along with cuttings. This tree is growing like a weed.

If you notice on the 2nd pic to the right you will see another air-layer on another tree. This is a Dauphine I am doing for another fig friend. I hope to cut that one too this weekend when I go home but will wait longer if I need to.

I came on here specifically to ask an air layering question so I'm glad to see a fresh discussion is already in progress!

I'm in the middle of an air layer myself, I used a 16oz plastic bottle and all seems to be going well so far. My question is this particular limb has a lot of leaves and little figs, should a knock them all off or will I be ok to leave them be?

Also, I've had this on for at least 4 weeks possibly closer to 6 weeks, I know the overall theme seems to be the longer the better but after taking a real close look it appears that some of the roots that are up against the wall of the bottle are already turning brown, what would you do?

fortisi876,

First of all, Congrats on your success!
2nd, can you send pics so we may better help you? As for the roots turning in color, I would wrap the bottle with foil or anything to keep away from light.

Here's another pic of the Peters Honey from last year.
Notice the top one with the black tape? That's the one with the ball.
The one in the very bottom was sent to a dear friend way down South. Hope he still has it.

Hope I'm not boring anyone.

Thank you Sir!

Here ya go, I was wrapping it with aluminum foil but the wind kept blowing it loose, will have to do a better job of it in the a.m.

First, not enough roots.

2nd, your container is way too small for the branch you are rooting.
You have two options,
1) change to a larger container or plastic bag.
2) cut the branch down

I would go with option 1. Get a plastic bag ( toast bag ) tie it at one end and fill with moist potting mix and tie the other end and then wrap with aluminum foil two or three times around and forget it for about six weeks.

After six weeks check it and see the root mass and if it is loaded then cut and pot.

good luck

From the looks of your photos, I may not have used enough rooting media. It seems my lumps are smaller than yours Rafed and yours Fortisi876, which by the way looks ready for separation. Next one I do I will likely try a bottle too.

Frank,
I see that your nonna's fig has done very well for you.

philip

More roots is better. I would definitely remove the fruit before you remove the air-layer. They will suck up energy that should go to roots (after removal) just like figlets suck up energy on a cutting when you are trying to root it.

The issue after removal is water, water,water. The new roots need to be able to supply as much water as you are losing through the leaves. If you have too little roots, then you have too little water. This can be remedied by adding roots, subtracting leaves, increasing humidity (greenhouse or substitute), reducing heat (direct sunlight), or any combination of those things. After you cut it off, then it is a lot like a large cutting that has started to root: same issues and same solutions.

Thanks for ALL the help and suggestions folks!!!



unofelice- it's done very well, TY! 

I'm actually having a decent season with all my established potted fig trees, they all seem to have figlets, even the smaller pots. I can't wait to sample all the different varieties!

I'm sure this is region specific type question but I was wondering if there is an end time when one should NOT bother trying to air layer?

I have a few more I'd like to try but I'm not sure if it's too late in the season?

I think Jon said you could leave them on over the winter. If you start now and your weather stays warm til October you might be ok depending on the variety. By the way I just removed my first air layer yesterday and it looked ok. Not as many roots as I would have hoped for, but it should survive. 

Correct

Ok, thanks for the quick reply......If I don't see as many roots as I'd like to it's good knowing I could just let them be til next season.

Yeah I have one that I started but  I wanted fruit more than the air layer so I left it. Very little roots at this time so I'm leaving it until next year.