Now that the leaves are falling and I can see clear branches of the potted fig tree, I thought I should air-layer one of the branches to have a duplicate but I am not sure if air layering during dormancy will help or harm or be neutral. I have read that the best time for air layering is after dormancy has broken. My question is if the rooting process will be on hold until spring and the branch may probably rot in the cool (not cold) dark storage area of the basement.
In one of Jon's posting in Fig4Fun he emphasized that there is no connection between the leaves and roots (during root cutting growth) so I thought that the rooting process can go on during dormancy.
Your input will be appreciated.

OttawanZ5

Here is a link that will help you I think.


aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/.../airlayer.html


Hope this helps :)
 
Whewww Weee it's hot in East Tx  (79 degrees right now) ;)
 
Cecil

Why don't you just root in a bag instead of airlayering?  I don't think that roots would grow well for you since you are going to have it in a cold garage or storage place.  Roots need lots of heat about 75-80 degrees.  I just rooted six cuttings off of a dormant fig and within 2 weeks, they rooted, but the key was it was 85 degrees in front of a space heater where they rooted.  Just use the rooting in a bag method Jon teaches, it works very well.  I think you'll waste your time fooling around with them in the conditions you are describing.  If you want to air layer, try next year or else do them in a WARM location.  Why don't you just bring the tree inside, depending on the size, and keep it in a light window with very warm and airlayer it there.  Ciao, Maggie.  

Thanks Cecil. I read this but it mentions optimum times for air layering and does not say anything good or bad about doing air layering in dormancy (to help the impatient ones) whether it gives a better head start or not.

Talking about the weather (tonight 23F)

Saturday night, Nov 10 (Ottawa)

• Low -5°C , A few clouds

P.S.  Ottawan,  I live in Pennsylvania, Z6 U.S.A.  My rooted cuttings  have been inside for a couple of weeks now.  Its been cold outside.    They are in my house which i Keep the thermostat set at  about 80 degrees.  I know, I like it hot, must be my Mediterranean blood.   To say the least, My figs go crazy in here!  Ciao.  Maggie 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr
 
Leon Edmond recommends waiting until Spring time. and he also recommends using potting soil instead of S moss.
 
He ran a nice post on air layering, but for the life of me, I can't find it.
 
Cecil

You want to air-layer when there is active growth.

Thank you all.
I shall wait until spring comes and the active growth starts. Until then I will keep myself busy with seed catalogues and almanacs (or watch my guava seedlings grow)!