Things didn't go as I had hoped, but I still consider the project a success. 

I planted this JH Adriatic early March 2015 in one of my old tomato beds that has had goat and chicken manure compost added to it yearly, the other soil underneath is very sandy and well drained.

Tree was started in 2014 and it had two trunks about 3.5-4 feet tall no other branches, I simply laid them horizontal going in opposite directions along a wire this year.

The cordons (horizontals) this year didn't really grow much more.  If I were to do it again I would leave tips not tied down so much, so apical dominance persisted longer.  

The laterals (uprights) grew well, one grew to 9-10 feet (wood beam at top where I used to attach tomato strings is 8' off ground).  I did not rub any buds out, I let her do her thing.  but I did direct laterals out at a 45 degree angle (by tieing them to stakes) instead of straight up.

My phone pics aren't the best, but maybe they will help give an idea of whats going on.  I'm looking forward to next year to see if I can coax cordons to extend.

I knew i was going to cut them when season ended, so I have done quite a few airlayers, with more just hanging out waiting for dormancy. With enough roots even 3 footers won't wilt, lessen in patience that I had to learn the hard way.  





             

That's some awesome air-layering!

Looks like it did pretty well and you seem to have quite a few nice air layers.  

Does it get cold enough down there to need to protect the limbs?

Don,

Yes and no, I mean plenty of figs around here are never protected.  Last year was my first winter with figs, it was a mild winter for us, but with crazy swings in January-February, high 70's for a while then more freezing, so that is what normally gets the fruit trees.

Smith was the only tree that froze to the ground, but came back, most others lost just a few branches.  We are forecast to have a cold wet winter this year, so I will take advantage of it being easy to cover. 

I did this more as I was hoping for better production.  Ha Ha, there's two figs on it!  I have others planted in ground normally to compare.  Next year I should be able to harvest some.

Nice job Don,I love seeing well rooted layers like that.Nice solid root that should fill
the up pot quickly.

Hi,
You're up to a recycling on the course "Pinching for branching".
Well, the tree is yours.
If it was mine I would have pinched at 2'/60cm each stem going up. Of course, if you were looking for airlayers, then your method is a good one.
It just is not the best for getting fruits and I'm more set on getting fruits from my trees.
All that growth seems crazy to me. You surely did add a lot of manure. But you're in Zone9, so your longer season might be another explanation.
For getting your laterals longer, you might want to bent a currently vertical shoot to make it the new horizontal extension ... Just saying ...

Thanks Greenfin! 

Jds,  I have another of the same variety that I pinched heavily and it stayed under 4'.  Both produced one fruit, which has yet to ripen, all other figlets that are forming last couple weeks are pinched off.  I wanted to compare production of step-over versus tree, looks like it will be next year to really get a good comparison.  Believe me, I want fruit too.

The idea on the step-over is that the laterals (uprights, I'm not sure why they are called laterals) are supposed to be branchless.  Two did decide to branch way up high.

I am looking for more land close by for a proper orchard, my little piece is nearly full of plantings and mostly part shade, so yeah, I am propagating like mad.  I am teaching myself to form them properly, so I'll keep the very best for planting in ground.

Tyro, Yep took your advice, I try not to get into hurry with airlayers.  You are the major inspiration to me learning how to shape them as well.

WOW! Don, now that's an outstanding job of air-layering! First time, I have ever seen multiple layers on the same branch! You need to send us all to air-layering school! Congrats!

Frank from Bama