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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Air Layer Removal Disaster
 
 


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tmc2009

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
One of the Air Layers I removed did not turn out so great.  The Hardy Chicago air layer twisted the roots off after I cut it off.  The weight of the figs and the bend in the branch twisted it around breaking just about all the roots that had formed.  Not to smart.  At least it was not a Black Maderia.
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Massachusetts Zone 6b
Figfanatic57

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
My biggest problem is sometimes I don't have patience,patience and patience. I have to leave them on until the roots are nice and thick. And do not place in direct sun until there are more buds.
mfehmi

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I'm sure it will survive. Just leave it in a place where it gets sun only in the morning. You did the right thing to cut all the leaves and the fruit after the accident, that's why I think you tree has a high probabillity to Survive.
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Wish list: Sbayi, Khurtmani, Black Madeira, Figo Preto, Galicia Negra, RdB
SteveP

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
I always remove any fruit from an air layer to ensure all the energy is going toward producing roots and foliage.  I also prune the air layer back substantially once it has been removed from the mother tree to ensure the roots can support the top layer.  I have had some air layers that when I removed them from the mother tree all the leaves dried up.  I thought the tree was dead but after a few weeks, new shoots started developing and the tree made it.

I also use the same technique with any new bare root planting.  I don't want any energy going towards fruiting till the tree has established itself.  I used to farm commercial almond and walnut orchards and this is a standard practice when establishing a new orchard or doing re-plants.  It really scared the wife when all the bare root trees we put in the ground this year were cut back to about hip high and the trees looked like a single stick coming out of the ground.  This winter I will prune the trees back to three or four lead branches coming off the trunk and start developing a well shaped canopy.
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New fig farmer in fig country.  Chowchilla, CA Zone 9B
Rooted: Mission and Texas Everbearing
Rooting this winter: Black Jack, Brown Turkey, Ruby #4, Malta Black, Pel De Beu, O'rouke, Black Ischia, Lloral, Bari Italy, Nero 600, Hardy Chicago, Alma, Black Bethelham, Desert King, Italian Honey, Unk Woodbridge Light, Unk Woodbridge Dark, Unk Chios and Lyndhurst White.
Looking for:  Peter's Honey that will survive the rooting process...
 
leon_edmond

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
At this time of the season, I don't remove air layers until the mother tree goes dormant. Then I make sure that I remove the air layers before any freezing temps set in and either pot them up or just leave them in their root homes until early spring. Of course you need to water a little every month to keep the soil a little moist but once dormant, these air layers are asleep, waiting for the next step.
ediblelandscapingsc

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I agree with Leon I wait until the plant is dormant before removing any air layers. 
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