An update on the air layers I started on 6/26/13 of Petite Negri, Maltese Falcon and RDB using Root Riot cube inside of Rooter Pot. I just checked them for the first time and attached is a pic of the Petite Negri progress. All three appear to be about the same stage after only 16 days. Once again, I want to thank Rafed for introducing me to RR Cubes.

looks good Mike

Im going to find myself some rooter pots also. Those toota are nice and thick too.

Mike,
Thanks for the update and pictures.
I'm also planning to do several air layers, to produce backup plants. Good Info. BTW those rooter pots are also available from Bass @ Trees of Joy.

Jarrett and FMD, I get mine from   http://www.leevalley.com/US/garden/page.aspx?p=46938&cat=2,47236
along with other stuff.

Wow Mike, that is incredibly result. Thanks for sharing.

Mike, Are you surrounding the RR cube with anything?

  That looks like fun!  Sucess is always fun. :-)  I have a couple in ground brown turkeys that are large enough to try this on.
  Who'da thought figs could be so entertaining.
  Soni

JohnnieB, check out this link, post #4.


http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Blue-Ischia-Root-Riot-Air-Layer-6401669

This method looks pretty great! In general, when are the best/worst times to air layer?

Mike,

Looking good, but I don't deserve this much credit.

However,
I too started some air-layers today using only root riot cubes. I used whole and chopped up.
I  scraped and applied the gel and filled with chopped up cubes and sealed. Hopefully I will see some roots in a couple weeks too.

Thanks for the link Mike.

I got three layers going on my hardy chicago. Sucker branches. I cut the bottems off of some pots and sunk into the ground a bit and filled pots with a good light potting mix. I water as needed and every third watering I use a root stimulater mix I got fro ace hardware I started them on the 6th so am hoping in a month they should be good.

Mike, do you use the curved syringe, do think it is necesarry?

Calvin, I could see where it would be really good or a turkey baster if we were not getting so much rain. I did use it the day I started
them because I filled around the RR cube with UPM and used the syringe to moisten the UPM.

Here is another product that might be worth exploring; I haven't tried it but it looks interesting.

http://www.airpropagator.com/buy_online.php

These are clam-shell globes that come in various sizes, held closed with zip ties and are reusable.

"The Growing Medium is a compound of pete (sp) moss and coconut powder, dry hydro gel, and other secret ingredients compressed under 200 tons of pressure. This growing medium is a crucial part of the success of our revolutionary new propagation system."

Thanks, I already have a baster(funny, I've never written "baster" before, I look at the word and think of South Park "You Baster!") so I guess I'll save a couple of bucks.

Today, I separated the Petite Negri air layer from the mother tree after a total of 43 days from start. I used Two Root Riot cubes and a Rooter Cup.  Here are a few pics.

Nice job, I my attempt 1 myself

i have had good success myself.  use one RR and fill rest with 50/50 compost and spagnum.

This is the airlayer of RDB same time frame and same method. Forgot to take pics of roots on this one but they looked about the same as PN above.





This is the airlayer of Maltese Falcon from a 1 1/2 year old plant that is about 18-24 inches tall and had one off shoot which is the airlayer for backup. The mother
plant did not grow very much this season, only about 6-10 inches total. Same time frame and method. All three airlayers roots are about the same using the
same products and method. I am aware that there is some root rot but I was not able to control the amount of water they were getting from the monsoon we have experienced all spring/summer. I am curious how it compares with all the other ways everyone uses like the saran wrap, bottles etc.

I wrap my rooter pots tightly in foil especially the lid and fairly snug against the branch. If you encounter a few days of rain too much water can get in there. The foil also will help hold the moisture in. An occasional squirt with a hose near where the foil and branch meet will supply enough water.

Thanks for that tip. I will give that a try. Maybe that would have helped with the ten inches of rain in July and already five in August.

That is an obscene amount of rain, Mike.

If that doesn't work use a quick draining mix. I use half Promix and half pine bark fines but I imagine Promix and extra perlite would work too.

Bear in mind this is what works for me in NJ. You have to factor your Georgia heat into the equation.

I just tried the Q Cubes that Rafed put us on.  I think they will  do really well here. I tried the large one on a Celeste eight days ago and it is showing roots already.
I may have to do the foil before its over though if the rain keeps up.

I need to check mine.  we had 4.5" yesterday and another 0.5" last nite.  More expected tonight,  Need to probably wrap with foil to keep from even more rain getting in.