This is a quick and easy method of air-layering when you have more than a few to do.

Foil. Cool. And you can recycle it when done. :)

Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing.  That was what I did few weeks ago. 

how to water inside it?

Seems like a pretty simple process to follow. 

Would be really cool if you had this with instructions in a PDF.


Chris 

Hey FMD

thanks for sharing your air-layering technique. Did you girdle the bark layer at all, it doesn't appear that you did. please share your results in 6 weeks or so!

Mark, the third picture shows the bark being scraped off the circumference of the stem. You don't really need to girdle figs deeply for root formation, as a little trauma goes a long way.

To water, I like the syringe idea best, ....but don't have one. What about in the initial wrapping of foil, to include near the stem a short length of tubing (like main drip or aquarium, or even 2 inches of garden hose) through which you could pour/funnel any necessary water. Keep that sealed/corked when not in use. Of course that would detract somewhat from the 'easy' aspect.

Where can one get a large syringe?

a turkey baster with an injection needle does a great job of getting water into the air-layer. Also, with an empty bladder you can also do an air exchange with it, as well.

since I am on the subject of kitchen tools... a vegetable peeler also makes easy work of the girdle.

Gina, I was thinking on the same line. Except I was thinking of an easier to peel tape to re-water over several weeks. 

;-))

Another easy way to air-layer (especially the thinner branches) is to use Rockwool cubes.   They can be found in any hydroponic shop.  The steps I follow are: 

• Remove the plastic wrapper from around the cubes
• Slice from the middle of one side to the center of the cube
• Soak the cube in water for a few minutes, then set on top of a sponge to drain.  Rockwool is not easy to wring out, so I use a sponge to wick the excess moisture out of it
• Slip the limb through the slit I created in the side of the cube and fill the center cavity with Rockwool plugs, if necessary
• Wrap in plastic and foil and seal

Yup, rockwool cubes work very well for really small branches. Will post picture of one just completed.

In the meantime, here's a picture of my syringe.

See also an earlier post:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/How-To-Save-Your-Beall-5494692?highlight=surgery

How late in the season could I do this?  I have figs on the tree I am waiting for - they should be ready around Halloween and I'd hate to sacrifice them.

Thank you for the pictorial FMD. I am trying this on my fig tree to get a few more specimens out of it for gifts. Had a couple of questions please.

If the branches one is air layering should one remove the fruit that is maturing or leave it on till ripeness and mangia?

If the fruit removed will the air layer root quicker or easier?

For those in the NNJ area, what's the latest you would consider air layering?!?!?

Also, I see the OP just scraped the bark instead of peeling a portion off, is that optional or did I just screw up my first air layer last week? LOL!

As long as the branch is putting out new growth, the air layer will succeed.

Removing the fruit (that will probably never ripen anyway) will definitely redirect energy into making roots more rapidly.

Scraping the bark, girdling or leaving it intact will probably have little effect on the success of the air layer. Traumatizing the cambrium might encourage putting out roots a little faster, in my opinion.

I like the pictorial FMD.  I am planning to air layer a few branches.  Do you think the foil will get too hot in full sun here in AZ?

Fortisi,

I just started an air layer on Monday for someone and I'm in Chester. Should be ready to rock by 10/1. I can dig shuffle it and get another month or 2 of growth.

Hi Joe, 
If anything, the foil reflects the sun's rays, keeping what's inside cooler. Arizona in the fall shouldn't too bad, right?

Frank

It is hot out there in the sticker patch (Az.) but its a dry heat.....HAHA

4-5 weeks later