I started an air layer on a HC. The tree was under a year. The trunk was split so I started the air layer to save the tree. I started this 6 to 7 weeks ago. I now have very small green leaves forming below the airlayer. I checked the layer today and have not seen any roots forming. What do I need to do? Cut under the airlayer and call it good or just let it progress as it is?

what type of method of air layer did you use? You may want to be patient before cutting to make sure. Can you post picture so people can see how long the branch is that you are air layering? 

I just put a related post on the other forum.  Be patient.  If you live in the north, your spring was cool, which may have slowed rooting.  My Mt Etnas also seem slow relative to other varieties.  You'll probably need a minimum of 8 weeks, maybe 10.  Be patient.

I would echo the questions bought up by post #2. If the branch is unusually large/thick, it may take substantially longer to finish than a short spur or young branch. Also, just like post #2, I'd be curious to see the air layering technique. I've been very fortunate with long fiber green moss ( AC Moore) and aluminum foil wrapping. This allows reflection of sunlight while also allowing limited air flow. Let me know if I can help.

Hi

I've noticed with the few air layers that I've done, if done right the root development happens relatively quickly, I have about 6 set right now that I started on June 6th the they are crazy crazy crazy with roots! Lots of roots, one of the trees though which is a Mt Etna an Angelo's Dark didn't root at all, I set a new layer 2 days ago, hopefully it takes, don't know why the first one didn't take, maybe I did it wrong? Maybe I wasn't patient enough, but 4 weeks there should of been some roots! No?

I read about someone pinching off top lead to promote more root growth, less energy to the top of a tall plant. What do others think of this? I was looking at all Charlies weird airlayers. He does all kinds of stuff. Maybe I can see what he thinks? 

Boy am I upset!!! I just unwrapped my fig tree to see if I had roots! Yes I had one (very small) and of course I knocked it off..uuhhhhh....I rewrapped it up to see if it will come back. Should l take off some leaves or fig so the energy goes to making roots?

I did couple simple air layering up for couple fig trees without scoring, in our cool summer, few months has passed without caring, only 50% of them roots.

I did 1 tree with electric tape method
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/cray-cray-on-the-electrical-tape-method-one-plant-per-node-7779937?highlight=electric+tape&pid=1292586746

Instead using electrical tape, I use food wrap plastic to lightly wrap up air layer area, Whenever I watered my tree, I watered the wrap area as well, Once I saw many root initial white spots under wrap, I removed wrap and wraped it up with wet peat moss, and it rooted in 1 -2 weeks.

#1.Repot mother into a #5
#2.Girdle and slice nodes to just below media level.
#3.Clonex above girdle to media level
#4.While clonex is drying find a clear,1 gallon
    container and use that as your layer container,
    allowing visibility without disturbance.
#5.Water and wrap it in foil.

Remove the figs but do not disturb any leaf or apical
tip.The hormones/photosynthates they create is what
drives root growth.

<< be patient >>

That said, I agree totally with Paul.  You want a transparent container.  Do not remove leaves or tips.  And all the rest.

OK I will give it a try. I watched a YouTube video that said you have to remove all leaves and fruit after you cut the airlayer from the mother plant. So I just wanted to make sure before I get to that time in the future.

That statement on YouTube is categorically false.  I've done roughly 15 air layers this year and I've clipped only one, and that was because I damaged the roots taking it too early.  I can show you a Brooklyn White that I cut and potted a week ago -- it retains all it's leaves, all its small main crop figs, and even one big unripe breba.

If your container is decent size (mine was a 32 oz plastic cup) and your root ball is well developed, you don't need to trim anything.  Also, for about a week after cutting and potting, you should water the air layer heavily and store it in full shade.  If it dries out, then leaves and figs will shrivel.