just a stupid observation i guess.

Several of my trees purchased bare root were all trunk, with all of the growth at the top 6 inches with 3 feet of trunk.  i decided to air layer the trunk in an attempt to shrink the tree so it would grow in a bush form.  A funny thing happened when I air layered the main trunk, the trunk started putting out significant new growth.  So much so that i cut the main trunk air layer off to let it focus on the new growth.  If i hadnt girdled the trunk i would have just removed the air layer and left it alone.  
Why did i cut the air layer off before it became its own tree? Because the tree was already focusing on the new growth to the point that the leaves on top were turning yellow.  i believe that the end result will be a branchier tree with lots of figs next year.

The first picture is the sister tree which I haven't done anything with to give you an idea of perspective. The second pic is the Celeste where I cut the main trunk air layer off to let it focus on new growth. The growth you see is 3 weeks worth. It was nothing but trunk before.

I have 3 different types of figs being main trunk air layered right now and all 3 are showing this tendency.

You did not have to cut off the air layer prematurely. If left on, the yellow leaves would have fallen off, the new ones would start growing, and the air layer would root. All this while the bottom part would live its own life. Of course, the air layer container should be protected from the sun and the medium in it should be moist.
Best regards,
Boris

I did save the top, as it had root initals and potted it just to see if it will make it. But I dont care about the top at this point. I shortened the tree and made it bushier. The top if it makes it will be a freebie to a member.

I think the new growth coming from the bottom would be the results of pinching, no? You posted previous that you were a pinching machine, so isn't this the results you were looking for? Both trees look great, and whatever your doing seems to be working.

luke

Luke,

I didn't pinch the air layer. It was my first one and I was nervous so it got left alone.  The sister tree was pinched but there's no new growth.

Ok then I'll zip it. Wondering if pinched, will it force roots quicker and also make bushier? Anyone try this yet? My thoughts are it should, but My thinker don't always work so good. 


luke

I have done an air-layer on the main trunk only once with great success. The rootball was the size of a football if not bigger. I would attach the thread here but don't know how. It was my Fiorone De Ruvo tree.

I did this on purpose to make two trees in which I gave one away.

But next time a little lime and some patiance you might/will get the tree to become a bush form.

Good luck

Luke yes.

Rafed copy and paste address to thread  .  ; )

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/air-layering-main-trunk-for-new-growth-5973924?pid=1274665095#post1274665095

I also did 26 inch airlayer off the very top of my jolly tiger cause it would not fit in garage come dormant season.

Used an old broom stick for support and bungie cord to tie the one gallon pot to and had 2 cut outs in pot to see when roots appear.

3 gallon pot now too small for airlayer as its growing well.

There is more than one way to accomplish a bush form, this may be the quickest, nice work Tim! And you have a tree to give away.

There is more than one way to accomplish a bush form, this may be the quickest, nice work Tim! And you have a tree to give away.

Rafed's Thread


http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/My-Fiorone-De-Ruvo-air-layer-5387542

Bob,

I was just about to try and do it.

Thanks anyway, much appreciated.

Quite frequently, when doing and air-layer, the bottom part will begin to flush new growth. If the bark is girdled (removed) as part of the air layering process, the lower portion of the plant, or branch, essentially does not see the part being air-layered as being there any more because it receives no products of photosynthesis. So it pushes new growth from the buds that now have apical dominance (upper most) in the same way that it would do if you had just cut the branch off. So while your air-layer is rooting, your original plant is getting on with the business of regenerating growth, as well.

Here's the update on this one. I clipped the top off of my Celeste air layer since my end game was to shorten the tree and the new growth the pushed from the bottom took care of that. The air layer was clipped very prematurely. There were initials but no roots. I took the top, threw it in some MG soil in a pot and left it in the shade. Quite frankly, I forgot about it.  Well, it looks like its doing just fine. It's not really an air layer and not really a cutting. But its about to push new growth from everywhere.

Suzi

Everything I've done a 1 inch girdle on has produced lots of new growth below the girdle. Just my limited experience.

I will say that it's a great way to get 2 trees for the price of 1.