Hi everyone! we're about to start a new propagation project, We have used air layering with good results, but we would like to improve these results, we are implementing root stimulants but we would like to get some advice on subtrates e.g perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, humus, etc what would be the best mix in order to obtain the best results in terms of rooting time, strength etc if you can share any experience would be very valuable. 

From the shape of the rootball, it looks like you used some sort of plastic container with the soil added to fill the container...I have had good success with this method, and have found it to be the simplest of all ways to air layer...the soil that I use is a mixture of ProMix HP and Pine Fines 50 /50 mix...the soil is high porosity, and the pine fines seem to give 'room' for the roots to spread out and grow with less resistence.

Not sure what you used (as shown in the pix)?!
Seems somewhat 'swampy' to me - is it a pure-fine-compost?
I did many successful fig air-layering before.
I used various rooting mediums; normally just potting soil with some-moss-additive (for some more water retention) ...
But invariable, the root-ball came out 'solid' ...
[Edit: maybe after giving them roots some more time to fully develop.]

cool roots .. do other memmbers have photos with there ideas experance ?

50/50 seedling soil and perlite seems to work fairly well for me on my last few air layers. usually i don't start the air layer until the low temp is well above 50.

I did a few air layers last year and all were successful. This post has the procedure and pictures. It was using one gallon jugs, a small amount of long fiber sphagnum moss and Peat Moss. No rooting hormone was used and they were separated from the tree within 6 weeks.

Hi! Well that time we used a combination of compost and regular soil 50/50 we used 2 lts plastic bottles that's why the shape of the rootball, we used mycorrhizas when we planted the cuttings. As I stated before we like to improve these results. Thanks for all your answers! I also would like to ask if anyone have used peat moss for air layering

here is link to my air layer from last year. no rooting hormone or other additives.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Kathleens-Black-air-layers-came-off-today.-5893760

Here is how I air layer. The little tree is in humid chamber. Water at the bottom, heated by electric blanket. in a week or two, I got the root in the air.

seen that happening in my back deck. couple of summers ago, it was very hot and was raining for few days. some of the trees were actually putting out roots. once the weather dried up, they air pruned themselves.

Pete,
This black mission was small (about 6" tall) in December when growing root in the air, I did make it into two trees. Both are about 1 ft tall now.

Wow! I didn't expect such a good response to my post, this is a very nice community of figs lovers! I thank you all for answers I think we're all passionate about figs! Pete(bullet08): I read through all your posts and I think they provide very good information about your successful air layering technique, my conclusion is that warmth was the key in there. I will keep reading all your recommendations, they have provided very important clues for our project!