First of all, I cannot take credit for this idea. Another forum member posted pics of this in the past and I am embarrassed to have forgotten who that person is. However, I am in the midst of teaching a friend this technique and decided to post photos of how I do it. It has to be one of the better methods for setting up a quick air layer.

You can use plastic containers with snap on covers. I like to use the lunch meat containers from the deli.

    
Make a diagonal cut along one side of the container. Make an opposing cut on the other side.
 
Then make several radial cuts with the tip of the scissors.

 
These radial cuts will allow entry and exit holes for the fig branch.

 


 
Remove a ring of bark from your branch and insert the branch through the slits.

 
Make sure that the potting soil is completely moist by wetting thoroughly and squeezing out the excess water. Then tightly pack around the branch and fill the container completely to the top.

 
Snap the cover on and make sure that each side of the cut ends of the container fit secure into the grooves of the cover.

 
Place a piece of tape or string around the container as added security to keep the cover on. Sometimes a large air layer will need some support from a stick. 

 
In the end, place a large piece of aluminum foil around the entire container and label your air layer with the name of the variety and the date. Check to see if roots have formed in 3-5 weeks. There is no need to add water to the medium once this is set up. When there is a large root mass noted through the clear plastic, prune the A/L from the mother tree. Gently remove the container off of the rootball and pot the A/L. 
You can reuse your A/L container for future starts.

Here is a link which is very informative about air layering and what to do to insure its survival:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/air-layering/

I hope that this method simplifies the process of air layering. You can literally do this in a matter of minutes.

I like that idea! Thanks for sharing. I'll have to try it.

Nice tutorial.  I tried a similar idea with plastic drink cups, worked fine;  the branch extends from the base of the cup thru the hole in the center of the lid, with appropriate cuts in lid and cup to get the branch in place similar to what Leon has posted.

Love it! Thank you for sharing such a neat way of doing AL's!

Great idea!  Thanks for the write-up, Leon.

Hi Leon,

Nice demonstrations. I've been using zip locks bags and one gallon containers for many years. Always interested learning new methods. Thank you.

Navid.

Navid, for many years I was doing the same as you. This method is pretty quick once you create a few containers ahead of time. With the bags, I found myself having to use a bunch of ties to secure them to the branch and potting soil was always spilling all over the place. These containers can be used in any position on the branch. Amazingly the cover, when snapped into place, aligns the cuts that are made on the sides of the container and secures them really snug.

Very clean, simple way to layer, Leon. I'll set a couple tomorrow this way. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for sharing. Leon. This I will definitely try. Problebly tomorrow morning. Excited.

Glad to help. Keep in touch with your results.

I've been using the gallon Ziplocs too. Have simplified a little using larger rubber bands to secure the baggie, plastic shopping bags to cover and reusable Velcro to secure the plastic shopping bags. This seems to be a lot easier. Thanks Leon.

I wish I'd used this method before. I really like the way the cover secures everything. Will use this method going forward. Thank You.

Thanks Leon this looks like a simple, straightforward method. As a newbie to Figs and this technique I really appreciate all the details. Can you or other members speak more on any issues with this or tips for success? As I consider doing this I see lots of choices on the old tree. Questions...Like best time of year? Optimum size of branch and spacing from end? Shade or sun? Then how long is the process? I am very excited to learn how to do this. And I know even simple things have their quirks but this looks way more straightforward and less possible issues than rooting cuttings? Yes? Thx again. I hope to see pics and comments of the other members checking out this technique. Happy figging. Jodi

Yes, I will definitely save those containers from now on for use on larger airlayers.  The only limitation with this method that I see is that sometimes I want to airlayer really small branches because I don't want to impact the tree very much and also because it is cheaper and easier to send small airlayers.  For this, I'm playing around with two root riot cubes wrapped in plastic and Al foil.  There is at least one thread on the root riot method already.

They make those type of containers in pretty small sizes too

Thx, Leon! Its a very clean way to airlayer.

Ed, that's true.  Yogurt cups would be a possibility as well.

Thanks Leon, good tutorial.

Steve, I have a couple containers shaped and sized about the same as softballs from Victoria's Secret. A couple years ago I got some stocking stuffer 1 oz perfumes for the wife and the little bottles were in them. I knew those things were gold as soon as I saw them, a gift for you and me scenario! They are even halves that snap together, a little zip with the Dremel and they now work perfect for smaller layers.

What a great idea!!

This may be cheaper, like Calvin's idea.

http://www.clamshell-packaging.com/stock-clamshells.html

Thanks so much Leon for posting! Very simple idea that should work outstanding! : )

Hi everybody ! Just wanted to add couple words. You can use anything for air layering which can be filled with your stuff and which has a round- ball or oval shape . Of course the better choice is something like a ball which allows you to put the half spheres ( or squares )  together and then make a hole in the middle ( I use a welder from a Dollar store ). It is much better and easier than to make these cuts you provided in your pictures.You can also make the same type of cuts like in your pictures at the top part of the paper cup and after you install the branch you can put a cap on the top . So, there are many ways to use different stuff for the air layering and it only depends on your imagination !! Good luck .... by the way check some Dollar stores there are plenty of stuff for your ideas..

Thank you evladi. Those are great ideas. I will try some of them. If you can show some photos, it would be nice to see how they look.

Hi Leon.
I used both methods, the plastic bag and the containers, I like to use the plastics containers better, much easier.
Vito

Just want to advice you when working with 'Plastic'' use a Welding iron  to make any holes or other ''cuts'' It will save it from cracks and other problems. It also help you make a hole of the same size your Branch is ...

Thanks, Leon for the timely post and sharing a technique that looks quick and tidy to set up. I will set up a few following these instructions. Previously I used plastic growbags, but filling and tying them off was a bit difficult. I see yours was girdled on second year wood, I wonder if that is still as necessary on first year shoots and so I'll try both ways and report back.