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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 


Think it is 12 or 13 air layers.   Wasn't meant to be that many but I put the layers on 27 days ago and they have rooted nice but the tops are growing fast and some have 18" of growth from the top of the air layer pot to the apical bud.......way too much for the roots so did a second air layer further up each branch and will keep the tips pinched to slow them down.  


MBairs.jpg 
waynea

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
It is really amazing, some of my airlayers (6 months old) are taller and healthier than the parent. All are in the ground.
Joe_Athens1945

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
There is nothing you do that can be considered plant abuse. You are a Master cloner!   Joe
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My young trees in the ground and in pots: Brown Turkey, White Triana JM, Magnolia, Strawberry Verte, Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, UK Brooklyn Dark JP, Ronde de Bordeaux.
 
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blueboy1977

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
What variety is that Wills? The RDB you sent me looked almost like that untill last week when I removed them. Got 3 layers off a 3ft plant. I was wondering if it would be detrimental to the plant but it actually made the plant respond with a nice flush of growth and many more branches.
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Rob
Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx

Growing:  Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
One way to increase inventory. Which variety is that? Will pinching tips also promote root formation, do you think?
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non compost mentis in Zone 6a
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Rob,

Maltese Beauty.  It was just planted the 15th of March as a little itty bitty thing.  
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Quote:
Originally Posted by musillid
One way to increase inventory. Which variety is that? Will pinching tips also promote root formation, do you think?


I was told it would increase the root growth by the person I asked.  
needaclone

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Ya gotta love that Florida heat and sun for growing figs!
Jim
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Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M .  Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH  . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano .  ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Zone envy  :)   And talk about printing $$!  Congratulations!
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Zone 6, MO

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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
8 are going to friends that don't have it, for free.  
waynea

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Way to go Wills, I am sure you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine, even though you do not expect it or request it.
Otmani007

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
I wouldn't call that abuse. That's "creativity unleashed".
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Dallas, TX - Zone 8a

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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Wow, nice job, Wills!!!  No abuse at all.  I once saw a slightly large tree (not fig, maybe lychee) with maybe 100 airlayers set on it. I felt sorry for the tree but happy for those that got the trees.

I've thought of starting airlayers on some trees with new growth but have never done so with new growth.  Do you still girdle it?  Actually, I tried doing one on a Valle Negra last year and it snapped off after I girdled it.  I'd like to know more about the branch characteristics you're using.
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Harvey - Correia Farms
Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14

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blueboy1977

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Uncle Wills is a kind and generous man! I don't care what Hman and Aaron say about you;)
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Rob
Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx

Growing:  Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueboy1977
Uncle Wills is a kind and generous man! I don't care what Hman and Aaron say about you;)


Make that 9 going to friends:)  If you want one Rob, just pay the shipping,  I also have many layers on the CDD Grise if you want one.  
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarveyC
Wow, nice job, Wills!!!  No abuse at all.  I once saw a slightly large tree (not fig, maybe lychee) with maybe 100 airlayers set on it. I felt sorry for the tree but happy for those that got the trees.

I've thought of starting airlayers on some trees with new growth but have never done so with new growth.  Do you still girdle it?  Actually, I tried doing one on a Valle Negra last year and it snapped off after I girdled it.  I'd like to know more about the branch characteristics you're using.


Harvey,

I'm not an expert at it or anything but frankly you don't have to be for airlayers, they are easy and success rate is close to 100% to get roots.  Think I have done 125? or so now, something like that.  The fresh green growth does not layer well for me.  Basically the stages you have fresh green growth, the growth that if you bend a stem it snaps off cleanly.   It then moves in to that stage where the stem is green but woody and no longer snaps but would bend over after being broken but stay on the plant, you can tell that stage just by the color.  Then the green stem starts getting flecks of brown as it lignifies then finally the stem is brown.  At any stage other than the soft green stage it seems to work and seems to work best when you start getting the brown flecks.  At the woody green stage the roots seem to take longer to form.

I don't do anything to the stem, no wounding, no girdling.  I do make sure I cover two nodes.   I use 16oz water bottles because the plastic is lighter and that matters....I use a bandsaw and drill press to make the bottles, each one takes just a few seconds for the whole process.  I take the water bottle and cut it off two inches or so from the bottom.  I run a drill through the cap to make the hole for the stem.  I then touch the lip of the bottle to the bandsaw and cut one side all the way up.....arg is hard to explain.  I will make a post on it later if you want.  picture is worth 1000 words.

Unlike most I don't seal the top of the airlayer at all.  The bottom of the airlayer is restricted but water still exits. I do make sure the top of the air layer is pointed up.  This time of year rain is pretty steady, at least every 3 days and mother nature keeps the airlayers watered.  The outside is wrapped in foil but the nice thing about keeping them open at the top is you don't have to tear the foil back to see if they are rooted.  Once the roots take off well they will poke up out of the top in to the air a bit so you will see them.  Now that is a Florida thing.....if I was somewhere where the humidity was low I would seal the top or you would have to water them 3 times a day.  Or you could do a layer container that used two bottle tops... I will put that version in the thread.  
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Wills,

Without the story attached to it one would think this is a picture of a "Redneck" Christmas tree;)
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Rafed,

Lol I know..the foil in my yard makes it very festive:)
strudeldog

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Wills,

I agree with Rafed. If I do my Decorate a fig tree for Christmas contest again next year that is a contender. I think alot of folks would love to find one of those Airlayers under the tree Christmas morning.
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Phil N.GA. Zone 7 Looking for: De La Reina, Del La Senyora, Martinenca Rimada, Parfum De Cafards, Ponte Tresa,  Sangue Dulce, Emalyn's Purple, and on and on
strudeldog

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueboy1977
Uncle Wills is a kind and generous man! I don't care what Hman and Aaron say about you;)
  HA You can't go crossing forum lines here Blueboy. I am sure one of those layers is for Mr. CLint
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Phil N.GA. Zone 7 Looking for: De La Reina, Del La Senyora, Martinenca Rimada, Parfum De Cafards, Ponte Tresa,  Sangue Dulce, Emalyn's Purple, and on and on
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strudeldog
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueboy1977
Uncle Wills is a kind and generous man! I don't care what Hman and Aaron say about you;)
  HA You can't go crossing forum lines here Blueboy. I am sure one of those layers is for Mr. CLint


Lmao, yeah it is in the mail, I have a hunch that he and Aaron are actually the same person:)
DallasFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
I've had the problem of a small air layer growing too large before cutting.  I cut them anyway and potted them up.  I had a Ronde de Bordeaux that looked pitiful from wilt a few hours after cutting.  I just cut off all but a few upper leaves and put a drip line in the pot.  It's now putting out new growth.

I had one air layer that only had one tiny root after after 30 days and it broke off.  I stuck it in the garden after cutting it off and it's now putting out new leaves after a few weeks.

I guess the  moral of my story, anticipate it to grow more than you expect.  And if it does, cut it anyway.. it should recover.  I haven't lost an air layer yet, however sick they look after cutting.
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasFigs
I've had the problem of a small air layer growing too large before cutting.  I cut them anyway and potted them up.  I had a Ronde de Bordeaux that looked pitiful from wilt a few hours after cutting.  I just cut off all but a few upper leaves and put a drip line in the pot.  It's now putting out new growth.



I considered it but I was trying to avoid the setback.  These bottles are not huge so the root mass isn't that great and the tops.......some of the new growth was the size of a dime almost.  I really worried I could lose 30% of them and have a lot of friends that want them so went with the less risky way.  Plus I hate how badly it sets them back to hack off the leaves.   It was mostly my fault as I was just pushing the plants hard to put size on them.  I should have backed off on the juice and that would have slowed them down naturally.  Still learning.
greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
It is an impressive growth from that little tree, congrats!
It is a nice way to make your friends happy for sure!
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needaclone

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
I've been afraid to do air layers up to this point.  Probably just an irrational fear on my part, with the first time being the hardest.  This kind of inspires me to get my air-layer act together.
Our local high school has an active FFA program with lots of horticulture classes and such.  Last spring I looked into their greenhouse and saw some kind of indoor plant/shrub that looked kinda sorta like a rubber tree.  Every single branch on the tree/bush had an airlayer going on it.  Each one was tagged with the name of the student that did it.  ( I think maybe I should sit in on that class ;-)
Jim
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Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M .  Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH  . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano .  ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000
waynea

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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
Jim, just get the plant that you like the least, one that you want NO MORE of and air layer away. You will be successful just because you do not want any more. Basically, that's what I did. Now I have so many BT that I can not give them away.
blueboy1977

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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
How could I say no Wills? I will gladly take you up on that offer! I wish I had something to give in return. I was planning on hooking you up with that white genoa loquat but my air layer didn't take. It was supposed to be a surprise but never rooted! I will have to try again. Maybe I can get a new Mango Tree sent to your house? How about a nice Pickering for your green house?
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Rob
Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx

Growing:  Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Rob,

When I bought the two mango trees I wanted a pickering but they did not have one, hmm......
blueboy1977

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Posted Reply with quote  #29 
Let me see what I can drum up for you!
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Rob
Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx

Growing:  Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte
needaclone

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Posted Reply with quote  #30 
Waynea,
  That's the problem -- I don't have any trees I don't like!!  (Even the BTs!)
  I do have a couple of BT's that have some very long branches and could stand a haircut.  Maybe I'll try them first.
  Thanks for the encouragement.  I know it is just a psychological hurdle I have to jump.
  This thread, and the other air layer tutorial thread that Wills recently started, show me I have no excuse not to do it.  Even though it is mid Aug. and I'm in NJ, I think I still have time (especially if I don't girdle the branches, I have nothing to lose.)
Jim
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Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M .  Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH  . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano .  ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000
waynea

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Posted Reply with quote  #31 
You will be amazed at your success Jim.
james

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Posted Reply with quote  #32 
Jim,

You are correct.  No wounding = Nothing to lose.  Even if it roots and you change your mind, you can remove the layer material.  The roots will fall off and the wood will convert back.
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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
paully22

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Posted Reply with quote  #33 
Wow, I must be doing something wrong on my air layers. I started over 20 in mid June and hardly any have roots. Soil is
still slightly moist as I inject water to wrapped dirt every 12 days.

Wills, I have seen a guy that has air layers after every 2 nodes.
blueboy1977

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Posted Reply with quote  #34 
Special delivery coming for you Uncle Wills;)
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Rob
Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx

Growing:  Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #35 
Quote:
Originally Posted by paully22
Wow, I must be doing something wrong on my air layers. I started over 20 in mid June and hardly any have roots. Soil is
still slightly moist as I inject water to wrapped dirt every 12 days.

Wills, I have seen a guy that has air layers after every 2 nodes.



Pauly,

I'm sure the difference is the heat..90's days and mid 70's nights and 90% humidity......i'm surprised the figs don't air layer themselves without the container:)  I basically live in a humidity dome like when you put a cup over a fig in a pot:)   Your climate and mine are almost dead opposites, well I guess you have the humidity also??
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Posted Reply with quote  #36 
Hi Willsc,
I would use bigger containers for that size air-layers.
I trimmed a ground-layer that is more than a meter in height. The pot used is one of 20 centimeters of diameter and same in height, so already plenty of dirt for the new tree.
As for abuse, I always thought that in labs propagating through less than a one centimeter stem was some kind of abuse... We're far from that :)

@needaclone: Don't run first, walk. It is ,IMO, too late for an air-layer now in our zones. Start your air-layers in May, June or July, but no later in our zones.
So I would wait till next year now. The new tree needs time to settle and I wouldn't leave an in progress air-layer hanging to a tree through the winter.
You could try to get your trees to go root-suckering - that is way more easy.
Way1: Normally if you air-layer a fig-tree at dirt level, after removing the air-layer, the root-mass will send several shoots suitable for ground-layering.
Of course, while propagating the tree, you're delaying fruit production ...
Way2: root a cutting and lay it on the side. The cutting should start sending several stems through its length. Then ground-layer each stem and let them grow back.

@harveyc: I'm using mainly one year old branches . As explained, I would try to convert a tree into a root-suckering machine - as are my biggest tree from the strain ufti, my Dalmatie tree1 ...
The only problem is once they start ... they don't stop ...
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