Even though this will be the fourth year growing figs, this is my first attempt at air layering.  Now time will only tell.  My first attempt is with an EL Negronne.  Here is the video of how I did the air layer

Great Video. Will try Air layering within a few days, Keep those videos a coming.

Excellent detailed video, thank you

John G.

Bout time you did an airlayer...lol
I dont  cut the bark but have heard it can hasten the process for those in a hurry.
Airlayering is my favorite way to get instant tree hassle free.
Your video im sure will help folks on the forum way to go.

Very nice--that will definitely work for you. I do virtually the same thing, but use compost instead of sphagnum, because it's what I have on-hand. If you leave the top open, it makes it easy to add water as the soil dries out, but that may just be necessary in dry climates like mine.

Thanks for everyones support and comments.  I really appreciate it. 

love them all....keep them coming and thank you

I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming!

TMC saw this on the other forum, simple and it works.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg0401294522811.html?3

Wow TMC2009 I had no ideal that I was already subscribed to your channel. But then again it's been some time since I been on this forum. I do enjoy your videos. 

Keep us posted how it turns out.

Looks like fun. Wish I had a large enough fig tree to practice on. :)

Having done this a multitude of times, I can tell you this method will not work in warmer climates.  The foil does not sufficiently prevent moisture loss in the growing media.  I always seal my layer in plastic before putting the foil on to prevent it from drying out.



This was wrapped in the plastic bag the grocery store circulars used to be mailed in.  Since it was covered with foil, I wasn't worried about using a UV resistant plastic, and the thinner plastic seals better. The ends are sealed with electrical tape.  Since the tape has some give, it can be stretched tight around the ends for a good seal.

As Martin noted, a girdle is not necessary for an airlayer.  However, if you want to girdle the limb but do not like the idea of the knife work, a veggie peeler is a great alternative.  Use two hands when doing this (again this is from experience) with the thumb from one hand as a stopper for the hand peeling back the bark.  It is easy to take too much off.  Also, I place my girdles at the bottom of the layer.  When the offspring is removed from the parent, I cut the girdled portion off.

~james

Here are a couple of video updates on the air layer that I'm attempting.  I decided to change over to a soil mix with a larger container.  I think I like the idea of using bags instead of the plastic containers though.  I think I'm making it harder than it needs to be.  

That's awesome tmc2009 i actually watched your video outside this forum and subscribed to your channel and was wondering when you where going to update actually hoping you where going to update looks great good job ...PS when you are ready to take the bottle off just use a new sharp razor blade and slice the bottle in half from side to side like around the bottle you know the air layer is roughly at the handle of the bottle so your fine 

Here is pair of identical twins on tree down near soil level from last season. ; )
Click thumbnail.

Hi Martin, What happens to the branch below the cut in my example.  Will it eventually grow roots too or just rot away? or will the cut bridge the gap over time and everything below the cut become part of the root system.  Do you leave the branch that was outside the container attached or cut just below where the roots formed?

Someone from Portugal left a comment on my video that says,

Tom you're Tom thats who !, dont believe what you hear and half what you see is the saying i think.
Here is my fig plant airlayer with decent roots.
Click to enlarge

That university needs to be schooled.

If you cut the bark off all the way around doesn't that essentially cut  off the branch totally from the tree? Would the leaves and growth wilt at the top?

Interesting. I thought that would kill the branch.

71 (Im no expert ) but think of it as a 2 way highway the bark is one lane and the center is another. The inner lane supplies water etc to the tree and then the outside lane (bark) sends what Ive heard carbohydrates back down to the ground (roots) when you cut the bark (outside lane) the carbs have no where to go so it essentially either repairs itself or begins to get rid of carbs by producing more roots that's where the air layer comes in