I put my materials together to do some airlayers and the leafs are about 1 1/2 inches apart!  Should I strip a few off where the layer is going, if so. how much of the branch should I wrap?

Thanks

Hi Jo-Ann

Here is the very best info on the web about how a well known F4F member does it!

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg070227508091.html

Very Clear Directions!  Thank you for posting.

Jo-Ann,

Some girdle, some don't... I do most of the time (unless the limb is thin) and I find a regular swivel veggie peeler does a great job of it.

~james

Yes, remove the leaves where you are doing the air-layer. I usually strip them a few days in advance, and them the wounds callus before beginning the air-layer, but it probably isn't necessary.

The tutorial was great - thanks!
My tree is in ground so it is a bit taller than me and quite leafy.  The plan is to take off the top 2' or so to shorten the tree and start a new one!  I used (yes it is a bit tacky) 2 plastic grocery bags so I could get all the leaves through while bending the top of the tree to reach it.  The air layer is about 4 1/2 ' above ground.

Jon - thank you!  I had finished it already but now I know for the next one and beyond!

It isn't pretty but it is done - now cross my fingers and hope it takes. 

Here are some pictures - feel free to critique - I can always do it again lol.  The strip of fabric is tied to a stake.

Just for the record, if you did it today, and would now do something different, it is not too late to re-do. They don't root the first night. ;-)) Wish it was that easy.

lol don't we all!!!!    I know - just don't know if there is anything else to do, I'm sure someone out there will have a suggestion or two or .....lolo

Most of us wrap our air layers in foil over the plastic, to protect the roots from light and the hot sun.  They think they are underground in the dark, which is exactly what they should be thinking.

Suzi

I knew it!!!  I'll do it tomorrow!

If you would have looked closely at what Leon did you would have seen the foil.