Airlayer has figs! Will they grow when i cut?

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Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460693649	Reply with quote #1

So, I finally did an air layer on my Black Mission fig and it took!! Today i looked at it and it has so many tiny figs!!! My question: Should I go ahead and cut my airlayer even with the figs on it and, will the figs mature on the airlayer? Thanks in advance for your great advice! Meg __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1460695910	Reply with quote #2

How old is the mother tree that you airlayered. . __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1460701086	Reply with quote #3

Do not worry, the air layer will drop the figs after you cut it if it cannot support them. The plants know what to do to survive most of the time. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460727893	Reply with quote #4

Richie, the tree is about 3 years old. It may be a little older but Im not sure. Igor, so figs dont always drop off? I mean, an airlayer can hold the figs then? Not that it will... __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1460731407	Reply with quote #5

Meg, The air layer has nutrition just like the rest of the tree. I did this on one of my trees before. I ate the figs first then cut the air layer. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460731880	Reply with quote #6

Sas, I thought about that too. There are a lot of tiny figs and, after waiting like FOREVER for a fresh fig...well, i was not sure if i should risk it. Im not in a rush for the airlayer. I guess it will just keep rooting if i dont cut it? __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1460732228 · Edited	Reply with quote #7

A couple of years ago I unintentionally left the air layer on my tree all summer long. It fruited and after I picked the figs I finally cut it. Make sure you keep your soil moist enough otherwise the new roots might dry up or the branch might die. As a general rule I do not like to expose the roots if the fig tree is not dormant. When repotting, I never disturb the rootball. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1460732762	Reply with quote #8

The goal of an air-layer is a well rooted plant, not fruit. Remove the fruit. Led the plant focus on the task at had - roots. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1460737611	Reply with quote #9

I agree, remove the fruit, or wait until fall to airlayer. __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1460750356	Reply with quote #10

Hi, If the airlayer is spoken for, remove the figs as they will slow the airlayer. If you would have started it later, there was less problem. Now it is still early, so I would focus on roots. You could of course harvest the figs first - in July or August - and then remove the airlayer ... But, you'll have to remove the maincrop figs that will form by then ... So either way, you're going to remove figlets ... If you wait till end of the season, the airlayer will get root bound and when removed, it will be in shock with roots that probably won't be able to support the top growth. Good luck, whatever you choose to do ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1460760699	Reply with quote #11

While I agree with all the comments, I will note that last summer I set two airlayers in may, cut them in July, and both had a couple main crop figs when cut that ripened later in the season, with no detriment to the airlayered plant. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460766008	Reply with quote #12

Hmmm, great advice from everyone & differentoptions depending on what my immediate goal is. Jon: i agree that the goal is to have a well-rooted plant & not necesarily figs. I've never had an airlayer & the figlettes were a surprise that I had not considered. Sas: I used peat moss on the airlayer but I understand that keeping the roots well moistened is important. Johnnyq627: yes, i see that I need to make a decision and I'm leaning toward waiting until fall for the airlayer. JDFrance: either way... Rafaelissimmo: I am weighing it out...wow, your figs matured?! Thanks, all. I really appreciate your responses. I'll have to decide on a plan of action...ugh __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

SimonS

Registered:1442294247
Posts: 14

Posted 1460847248	Reply with quote #13

I have a related question: 10 weeks ago I started an airlayer on a relatively thick branch (around 1" diameter). I completely removed the cambium around 1.5" long in the branch and used a rooting compound. Put a 1 liter bottle around it with good soil and moisture. It seems to remain moist and I only needed to add water twice and it got a little from the few rains that we've had in Northern California. Until two weeks ago, I still did not see any signs of roots developing at all. I slit cut the cambium almost all the way around with a razor blade a little below the air layer, hoping to encourage roots by depriving any nutrition somehow still going through ..... It did not help and I still don't see any roots. A few days ago, I went more drastic and cut deep V notches ~3/8" , all the way around the branch just below the air layer. I expected the branch to either grow roots, or to die off for lack of Nutrition. What is really weird is that I am getting neither of these. The branch still looks healthy so I am completely perplexed what is happening. This is by far the thickest branch I tried to air layer or root. It was starting to encroach on the sidewalk so I had to remove it anyway so I tried to take a chance with air layer. Do the experts on the board recommend waiting for roots or should I just cut it and plant it in a large pot and pray for roots __________________ Growing Khurtmani, Asaly (RIP), Peter's Honey, and unknown fantastic purple black wish list: Paradiso, Barnisotte

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1460849648	Reply with quote #14

Quote: Originally Posted by SimonS I have a related question: 10 weeks ago I started an airlayer on a relatively thick branch (around 1" diameter). I completely removed the cambium around 1.5" long in the branch and used a rooting compound. Put a 1 liter bottle around it with good soil and moisture. It seems to remain moist and I only needed to add water twice and it got a little from the few rains that we've had in Northern California. Until two weeks ago, I still did not see any signs of roots developing at all. I slit cut the cambium almost all the way around with a razor blade a little below the air layer, hoping to encourage roots by depriving any nutrition somehow still going through ..... It did not help and I still don't see any roots. A few days ago, I went more drastic and cut deep V notches ~3/8" , all the way around the branch just below the air layer. I expected the branch to either grow roots, or to die off for lack of Nutrition. What is really weird is that I am getting neither of these. The branch still looks healthy so I am completely perplexed what is happening. This is by far the thickest branch I tried to air layer or root. It was starting to encroach on the sidewalk so I had to remove it anyway so I tried to take a chance with air layer. Do the experts on the board recommend waiting for roots or should I just cut it and plant it in a large pot and pray for roots If you cut it off without roots the branch is going to die. I think you are being impatient. It's only mid April. Not really hot yet. If the media is moist it should root soon. Quit hacking on it and wait until it roots. __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1460853301	Reply with quote #15

@ Simon, Although you hung the layer 10 weeks ago the clock only starts ticking once it begins to leaf out.The leaf is providing the rooting energy.For large layers I usually allow 8-10 weeks after first flush.Here's one I placed on 3rd or 4th year wood mid March. That's a #5 and I expect the pot to be full mid/late May. @Meg, I think you're in SoCa. so you can remove it now.The embryo's should not tax the layer and it should be solid in a #1 within 30 days.By the time the figs become an issue it should be comfortably settling into a #5.You want the layer off the tree and settled in as early in the season as you can. __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

SimonS

Registered:1442294247
Posts: 14

Posted 1460854081	Reply with quote #16

Thanks Tyro and Fignutty The consensus is for me to be more patient, a trait that I admit to be lacking @Tyro, Your comment is very counterintuitive but makes complete sense when I think about it: The energy to root is coming from the leaves downward as opposed to from the roots upward Looking forward to seeing some roots in the coming weeks __________________ Growing Khurtmani, Asaly (RIP), Peter's Honey, and unknown fantastic purple black wish list: Paradiso, Barnisotte

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460857691	Reply with quote #17

Thanks, Tyro. I feel inspired and motivated by all of the great responses. Thanks everyone. I wasa bit worried. I will post pics. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1460859349	Reply with quote #18

Meg, Best practice once you've removed it and potted it,put it in a humidity bin for a while.Santa Ana's are not your friend.<G> __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460898445	Reply with quote #19

Tyro, the winds are picking up. The problem is that this airlayer is about 4-5 ft. Hey but maybe i can use my humidifyer in my greenhouse?! I should post pics first. This tree grew fast! __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1460922488	Reply with quote #20

4-5 feet?I doubt your root ball is large enough to support that top growth.Post some photo's. __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1460999118	Reply with quote #21

Yes, I thought the same thing. I will take pics tonight and post. Thanks, Tyro. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1461036965	Reply with quote #22

This is just the top of one branch that had figs... Attached Images image.jpeg (603.53 KB, 11 views) __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1461037393 · Edited	Reply with quote #23

Okay...so i always have difficulty adding pics because theyre alwsys more than 1mb...arrrg __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1461037756 · Edited	Reply with quote #24

Trying to adf photos...finally got one picture to fit! Its a sliver though. I think you can see the pot... Attached Images image.jpeg (996.96 KB, 16 views) __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1461038250	Reply with quote #25

Meg, Run them through here and specify "less than a meg". http://www.picresize.com/ __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1461039059 · Edited	Reply with quote #26

Thx Tyro. Maybe i dit it right but im using my phone so not easy...i think i got the right http://i.picresize.com/UjFW Well, the pic looked ok when i did it but the link seems to show a huge picture. Clearly in doing something wrong. I try uploading tomorrow from my pc. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1461039339	Reply with quote #27

Yeah,don't know what you did,but if you hit "direct link" in the upper right corner,that's probably what we want to see. __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1461040547 · Edited	Reply with quote #28

You'll have to reset that one into a larger container Meg.Just remove the existing and reset into at least a gallon,preferably a #3 or larger.You haven't damaged anything,you'll just have to wait for it to fill the new container.8-10 weeks. __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1461073458	Reply with quote #29

Tyro, I see how you did your airlayer...it looks like its in a 5 gallon container. It makes sense now. Thx for the tech help as well. Meg __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

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