Hardy Chicago Air layers

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twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

Posted 1406552005	Reply with quote #1

On 6/4/14 I did a couple of air layers on my Hardy Chicago. I have not been overly successful with cuttings of almost any kind except a "BT" which has never given me a fig and died down to the ground this past winter. I removed the cutting on 7/25, about 50 days from the start and they are both doing fine. I'm so ecstatic with the results. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed doing them and watching the process. BTW, as a result, I'm doing an another air layer with Battaglia Green and LSU Purple! __________________ Von Northern VA 7a

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1406554455	Reply with quote #2

Good job! Success!! Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1406559540	Reply with quote #4

Hi twovkay, Congrats. Success even in small things is always a great pleasure to our lives ! Beware, you could turn into a Mr Jekill ! doing bizarre grafts ... Where is that frankallien figtree thread ... Check it out . Extending a collection at no cost is as well great ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

Posted 1406560733	Reply with quote #5

Yes! jdsfrance, Figs has become an obsession, and other then doing a backup for Hardy Chicago, I have a few friends who have tasted this variety and have asked for plants. So a duplicates or 3 for each plant I like a lot, otherwise they will go to friends or for trade. __________________ Von Northern VA 7a

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1406564727	Reply with quote #6

They do not get any better than this! Awesome outcome!

MGorski

Registered:1399823521
Posts: 370

Posted 1406564881	Reply with quote #7

That's a beautiful root system V, what was you rooting medium, and did you use rooting hormone or do anything to the bark? Mike in Hanover, VA __________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito

twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

Posted 1406567047	Reply with quote #8

Thanks waynea! Mike, I used a 50/50 of Fafard 52mix and Miracle gro 60% from Costco. I did cut the bark on the bigger air layer, but just barely took a sliver out, added some powder hormones to the cut, pinned it down with sod staple, add additional soil on top of the cut. As the roots grew, I took out the pin, added more soil and needed to add additional brace so more soil could be added. On the smaller one, it was a green branch. So I just scratched it a few times and put very little rooting hormones on it. By the time I remembered to do those things, the bottle was already on and I was working in a tight area. Finally foiled to keep the sun off of the roots. Both Air layers were put on the drip system, so they were watered twice daily. Still attached to the mother tree with drip system. Right after it was taken off. Small one, when I started this the branch, it was only 1' high. __________________ Von Northern VA 7a

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1406569124	Reply with quote #9

Nice work! You saved a whole lot of time, versus rooting cuttings. ;) __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

Posted 1406577472	Reply with quote #10

Thanks Frank, I agreed. __________________ Von Northern VA 7a

Charlie

Registered:1404043833
Posts: 1,214

Posted 1406590793	Reply with quote #11

Great post! __________________ Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1406602879	Reply with quote #12

Very nice! Great roots, well done! __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

Posted 1406634758	Reply with quote #13

Charles, Phil and Shailesh, thanks! I do find air layering far easier then rooting cuttings. __________________ Von Northern VA 7a

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