Topics

World's Smallest Air Propagator - DIY Tutorial

  • Avatar / Picture
  • FMD

photo 1.JPG  photo 2.JPG  photo 3.JPG         aphoto 1 (1).JPG  aphoto 1 (2).JPG  aphoto 1 (3).JPG  photo.JPG    



Great idea.  What was the original purpose of the container i.e. where can one find one?  Also I noticed that the branch was not fully lignified.  Did you strip off the cambium layer?  I've often wondered whether the area of the branch to be air layered needs to be lignified or not.

That's awesome! Is that about the size of a root riot cube?

  • Avatar / Picture
  • FMD

Steve, the little snap on container held knee-high nylons from Walmart costing 33 cents each. I scraped off some of the cambium. As the branch lignifies, it should put out roots.

Tami, yup it is just about the same size as an RR cube. I used moist peat moss, though.

Lovely idea!

It's going to be very nice to do it on this scale to share air layers with friends. Shipping will be minimal.

Great idea Frank . I've been wanting to try air layering but wanted to try on a smaller scale. This fits the bill very nicely! 

Great idea Frank! Keep us informed how it turns out :)

Frank,
Thanks for sharing the Idea.
I don't have any use for Knee highs, but the small Tupperware type containers from the Dollar store may work. I've got a year old Wuhan that has produces multiple branches and needs to be pruned, this idea may work for that application.
Thanks.

  • Avatar / Picture
  • FMD

Pete, the possibilities are endless. Here's another idea using clamshell containers...

    Attached Images

  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpg, Views: 87, Size: 402267
  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpg, Views: 89, Size: 361996
  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpg, Views: 71, Size: 612593

Very creative...nice work Frank.

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

Great idea Frank.
My cousins husband owns one of those coin vending machines company here in the Detroit area. I will ask him to send me some of those little bubble things and try it myself.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FMD
Steve, the little snap on container held knee-high nylons from Walmart costing 33 cents each. I scraped off some of the cambium. As the branch lignifies, it should put out roots. Tami, yup it is just about the same size as an RR cube. I used most peat moss, though.


Hey Frank,

You want to explain the knee highs?

  • Avatar / Picture
  • FMD

Rafed, I'm sure all will agree I happen to have very attractive legs.

    Attached Images

  • Click image for larger version - Name: image.jpg, Views: 45, Size: 311115

No comment. LOL


Frank,

Before I mock you for your pantyhose....I should ask, is the air layer for me?  

Hi Frank,
Love the whole idea of using smaller plastic gizmos for smaller air layers but why even bother with the plastic when you are covering it in tin foil?
I've done a bunch of air layers with great success using sphagnum moss and balling it around the cut portion of the plant. I then wrap it in tin foil and tighten up the ends by wrapping it tight to the stem. This way I can unroll a bit of the foil and use a sprayer to keep the moss damp. Works great, I've seen a few You Tube videos of fig trees air layered this way.
Whatever works is good.fig538.JPG fig535.JPG 


Hi FMD,
You want lots of roots. Isn't that first container too small ?
Nevertheless, this test is a good experience. Let us know about the results .
I would suspect that the volume is not enough to get enough root mass .

  • Avatar / Picture
  • FMD

Coop, I've posted a tutorial called "the five minute air layer" using foil which I like using very much. In hot weather though, the rooting medium tends to dry out very quickly with using foil necessitating frequent hydration using a syringe. I am hoping that the plastic container will keep moisture in longer.
BTW, your Dominic cuttings are now small trees which may produce a few figs by the fall. I hope the cuttings I sent you are doing just as well.

JDS, it is indeed a small container, but to paraphrase Goldilocks, just right for small caliber branches.


  • Avatar / Picture
  • JD

Good work Frank. Fig engineering at its finest.

Next assignment - Fig Protection Impossible: Create a snap-on fig (fruit?) protector prototype made of something equivalent or smaller than 1/8 mesh (it breathes). It shall be large enough to snap around a s-m-l fig and the radius = bird beak + radius of s-m-l fig.

Great point Frank. I used a sprayer but I can see how the containers would help. I have done it both ways. And yes, the girls are looking fine
Thanks again

Great work!

Reply Cancel
Subscribe Share Cancel