Think it is 12 or 13 air layers.   Wasn't meant to be that many but I put the layers on 27 days ago and they have rooted nice but the tops are growing fast and some have 18" of growth from the top of the air layer pot to the apical bud.......way too much for the roots so did a second air layer further up each branch and will keep the tips pinched to slow them down.  


 

It is really amazing, some of my airlayers (6 months old) are taller and healthier than the parent. All are in the ground.

There is nothing you do that can be considered plant abuse. You are a Master cloner!   Joe

What variety is that Wills? The RDB you sent me looked almost like that untill last week when I removed them. Got 3 layers off a 3ft plant. I was wondering if it would be detrimental to the plant but it actually made the plant respond with a nice flush of growth and many more branches.

One way to increase inventory. Which variety is that? Will pinching tips also promote root formation, do you think?

Rob,

Maltese Beauty.  It was just planted the 15th of March as a little itty bitty thing.  

Ya gotta love that Florida heat and sun for growing figs!
Jim

Zone envy  :)   And talk about printing $$!  Congratulations!

8 are going to friends that don't have it, for free.  

Way to go Wills, I am sure you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine, even though you do not expect it or request it.

I wouldn't call that abuse. That's "creativity unleashed".

Wow, nice job, Wills!!!  No abuse at all.  I once saw a slightly large tree (not fig, maybe lychee) with maybe 100 airlayers set on it. I felt sorry for the tree but happy for those that got the trees.

I've thought of starting airlayers on some trees with new growth but have never done so with new growth.  Do you still girdle it?  Actually, I tried doing one on a Valle Negra last year and it snapped off after I girdled it.  I'd like to know more about the branch characteristics you're using.

Uncle Wills is a kind and generous man! I don't care what Hman and Aaron say about you;)

Wills,

Without the story attached to it one would think this is a picture of a "Redneck" Christmas tree;)

Rafed,

Lol I know..the foil in my yard makes it very festive:)

Wills,

I agree with Rafed. If I do my Decorate a fig tree for Christmas contest again next year that is a contender. I think alot of folks would love to find one of those Airlayers under the tree Christmas morning.

I've had the problem of a small air layer growing too large before cutting.  I cut them anyway and potted them up.  I had a Ronde de Bordeaux that looked pitiful from wilt a few hours after cutting.  I just cut off all but a few upper leaves and put a drip line in the pot.  It's now putting out new growth.

I had one air layer that only had one tiny root after after 30 days and it broke off.  I stuck it in the garden after cutting it off and it's now putting out new leaves after a few weeks.

I guess the  moral of my story, anticipate it to grow more than you expect.  And if it does, cut it anyway.. it should recover.  I haven't lost an air layer yet, however sick they look after cutting.

It is an impressive growth from that little tree, congrats!
It is a nice way to make your friends happy for sure!

I've been afraid to do air layers up to this point.  Probably just an irrational fear on my part, with the first time being the hardest.  This kind of inspires me to get my air-layer act together.
Our local high school has an active FFA program with lots of horticulture classes and such.  Last spring I looked into their greenhouse and saw some kind of indoor plant/shrub that looked kinda sorta like a rubber tree.  Every single branch on the tree/bush had an airlayer going on it.  Each one was tagged with the name of the student that did it.  ( I think maybe I should sit in on that class ;-)
Jim