Go to:
airpropagator.com  (Parkway Greenhouse, 13605 Memorial parkway Southwest, Huntsville, AL. 35803-6013...Phone: 256-650-4644)...

for instructional video and ordering.  The easiest system for using a "rooter pot".  Forget the cut-in-half, plastic flower pots, plastic bags, soda bottles, aluminum foil, etc.

This company has kits, compressed wafers of growing medium for use in air-layering system.

Thought you might like to read about this unique system...and make some new trees.

I just ordered two sets.

Frank

Frank

Frank, 
Thanks I'm going to try a few myself.

mgginva...

Interesting concept, cheap, and EASY!  I can't wait to get my "pots".

I wish I found this product earlier in the season!  However, there is always next season, so I will not trim any new branches/suckers, etc. growing on my trees.  These extra branches will become my new treelets next year.

Frank

Thanks for posting that Frank.  I've got a few trees with perfect spots for these.

I try to share as much information as possible.

We all help each other in different ways.

Good luck with air-layering...the "new" way.

Frank

This is interesting, but honestly not time saving. In the time he does his demonstration, I've got my airlayer done.

Looks like a complicated version of a Spanish air layer cup. Not impressed. And not really all that cost effective either

BLB, I'm going to stick with my clothespin and water bottle. Started about a dozen air-layers this week

Check out how bad the Dendrologist (Tree Scientist) who made a testimonial treats his poor fig tree.


Let us know how it goes Frank.

Bronx thanks for sharing as its always interesting to see what others do.
 I'll keep using my water bottle and good ole fashion duck tape cause the neighbor give me free duck tape and we buy bottled water by the case.

Thanks for the comments. 

The link/information was provided for your interests.  Some find it useful, and others, have their own way of doing things.  Do as you will...


Frank

Bronx i always find what others do as useful and sometimes get idea's from them.
So if you come across anything else don't hesitate !

Thanks for the link. I won't buy them, but they are cute and I enjoyed watching the video. Air-layering is one of the things I want to try doing, and watching various techniques only can help. :)  I'll probably try making something similar out of a cut-down tennis ball can.

I found the easiest method for air-layers (by far) is using Rockwool cubes as a media.  They come in several sizes 1.5"x1.5", 3X3" and something around 6"X6" cubes.  I did not use the large size.  The small size is good for thin branches, the mid size is good for branches up to about 1.25".  I soaked them in water, let them drain (on a sponge to help wick excess moisture away), cut them down one side, slipped over the branch (I used a vegetable peeler to peel away a girdle, then wrap in plastic and foil.  The nice think about them is they hold their shape and stay on the limb while you are wrapping them.

My favorite method for air-layering (really only good for .75"+ branches) is using the SuperRoot AirPots .3 gallon containers.  I wrapped the branch with a container and a custom made top and bottom:



Then I would fill the container with my (damp) growing mix and wrap in plastic and foil.  If the limb was thicker I would connect two containers together.  This limb was slightly large than 3" in diameter:



The same layer filled with growing mix:



Here is the result:


Some of the advantages with this method are:

• I am able to monitor root growth in the container.
• As the roots come out of the holes on the side of the container, I can press them against the side of the holes with my fingers which cuts the tips and encouraged root branching within the container.
• If the layer starts to dry out, I am able to inject water into the container using a turkey baster with a needle on it.  Once done, I tape over the hole.
• I can adapt the system to any branch strong enough to hold it.

Frank,
After viewing the air propagator site, it gave me an idea. Maybe someone else already does this, but, the plastic containers that bakery items come in at shoprite are another way for air-layering. It has a hinged side, snaps together, and is clear for occasional viewing. I just started one on my golden celeste container tree. I hope the few pictures give a good view as to what I have done. Thanks for the info.
John
Hope the pictures show up. Still not to swift on the photo download

igroxbury....

You must have read my mind...Just this morning I went to party-supply stores looking for just this kind of hinged, plastic box.

Excellent use for a junk box.

Frank

i have to air layer two VdB suckers into two new trees. that plastic box thing is just what i needed. i just happen to have few in the fridge with fruits in them.

i normally just grab couple of handful of soil and put them on cling wrap and put it on tree and cover them with foil, but with bigger trees, that won't do the trick.

Air-Propagators just arrived in the mail.  Looks to be a very nicely made product, and will be very easy to use for the intended purposes...air-layering.  The two-part, rooter-pot  can be tied/wired together so the rooters will open like a book, filled with moist medium and then closed around the stems.  Much easier than the demonstration video shows.

Can't wait to try these out next season.    Good luck to those who purchased this product.

F
R
A
N
K

Way to go Frank i look forward to seeing it on a dark type fig next season.  ; )

Martin....

Dark chocolate is more complex and more satisfying than any milk chocolate...but, I'd take either, or.  Figs, too.  White, Black...even, Brown Turkey, strips my gears.  Yes, JON...even "BROWN TURKEY" !!!!!   
                                                                                            
                                                                                         
I have a "Kathleen's Black" fig that needs some pruning, so it will be air-layered next season, as will some overly long branches on my unknown, "Red Italian" fig trees.  My "Golden Atreano" can use a little trim, also.  Glad I bought 6 air-propagators to fill.

I will let you, et al. know how it goes.

F
R
A
N
K

Well Frank i often hear that from members that any fig will do .

Sigh !

Frank
Thanks it is easy and effective way to air layer. I t will work great for big branches. Today I air layered big branch and took me lots of time and vanesse to get the little branch through the plastic bag. I could not play the video directly on my computer I used real player plus to down loaded then watch it on real player.
I think the nursery business have stiff competition. I just ordered LCU purple for $35 including shipping I will copy 5 out of it later. Did the same with brown turkey, Celeste and Chicago hardy Negretta will be the next. I may Run out of land for my fig treed it will be some time I have one acre backyard. The only problem wife is using some for her flowers.

I paid for a kit and 3 extra cups 2 weeks ago. Still not here and the company doesn't answer my emails or return phone calls. The one time I did get through the guy told me he'd check and call back but he didn't. I'm not impressed. 

@ Martin:  They say:  "The darker the meat...."  I still think that if you were blindfolded, you couldn't tell a good black from a good white.  : ))))) ...Sigh!

@ mgginva:  I hope that things will work out for you, and that you get your propagators soon.  Sorry for your trouble.

@egptcountryboy:  Yes, they are convenient, if not for nothing else.  I like them because they can be put into INSTANT use, if the need strikes you. 


Nice for some enterprising kids to have a little road-side business, selling little fig trees instead of lemonade...or perhaps, selling fig trees at a local church fundraiser...cub-scout troop fundraisers, etc.

Good luck to all.  "Be figful, and multiply"

Frank

Frank and others, I ordered a few of these air propagators last year and am just now getting ready to use one.  While I ordered the propagation shells and ties I didn't order the "soil discs" that they recommend using with them.  Has anyone tried adding potting mix to the two halves and then putting them on the on branch without having the soil fall out?  Is it really cumbersome?  Or should I spring for the soil discs?  Thanks.

Hi Steve-

Just saw your new posting.  I hope these suggestions will help you.

************************************************** ********************************************

Tree should be healthy, growing, and should be in full leaf... 

First, when using these propagator "balls", I twist-tie the upper and lower holes on one side, so that the ball opens like a clam shell, or book.  Then I fill both halves of the ball with moistened potting mix.  If the mix is too heavy lighten it with some Pearl-Lite.  If you lightly press the dampened mix into both halves it will stay in position as you clamp the prop. balls around the stem that you want to air layer.  You can also use these compressed discs of peat moss that are sold in garden centers, and place a few inside the prop ball.  When the disc are moistened, they will expand.  Either, or......it's your choice.

By sure to securely wire/tie the prepared, prop. balls to the stem so that the ball cannot spin around the stem, or slide up or down from the original position, or it can strip the newly forming roots off the stem.  I then twist tie a plastic bag around the whole set up.  You can also wrap the prop. balls in aluminum foil.  The dampened mix inside the propagator ball can be re-moistened by directing the stream from a spay bottle into the top opening.  No need to waterlog the growing mix....just keep it slightly damp.  The plastic bag/foil around the whole set up helps prevent rain water from waterlogging the prop. balls.  Make sure extra water can drain out from the foil/plastic bags, or your air-layers can get swamped.

Keeping the weather and temperatures in mind, I usually leave the prop balls on the stems for about 6-8 weeks or longer.  There really is no good way of checking for root development, unfortunately.  However after 6-8 weeks, I'm sure that the air-layers will be ready to be cut off the original tree.  (It's too bad the prop balls were not made with a clear area so that root development could be viewed, and checked.  At least soda bottles will allow viewing root development....but the prop. balls are more convenient to use).

When potting up your new air layers, be careful of the tender roots.  The prop ball should slip off the compacted root-ball.  Now you could just plug the whole root ball and new tree into a 3-5 gallon container of mix, and you're on your way.  By using a larger capacity container, you will not have to disturb the roots on your new tree for a few years.  Take precautions, and protect the young trees from freezing weather for the first 3-4 years after severance from parent tree.

Good luck with your air-layering endeavors.  Maybe some others will add suggestions.


Frank

Thanks Frank - lots of good information there.

Hey Steve, as another option I used my first one on these a couple weeks back. I split two Root Riot Cubes and placed them inside the
propagator gadget. As Frank stated you can not see the roots form as you can with the Rooter Pots which I believe I will like better in the long run.
As for securing the two halves, I used the old trusty Duct Tape which works fine also.

Steve-

Ditto what Mike said....

Root Riot Cubes, Rock Wool, Coconut Husk Chunks, but NOT coir... long-strand sphagnum moss, etc  Keep the medium damp, but not wet.  You'll get roots.

Good luck,

Frank

Frank,
I made several air layer pots based on the "hinged" clamshell design using recycled plastic bottles, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=7048562 . The installation is similar to the Air Propagator, http://airpropagator.com/results.php , the bottles are mostly clear and the hinge is built in. I've been using a peat based mix and packing the halves with damp mix per your directions. Like the Air propagator, installation would be simpler with nylon wire ties, but I've been using recycled available materials.
.

BTW, the Air Propagators have been redesigned with a clear half shell to view root development http://airpropagator.com/buy_online.php .

Hi Pete-

Thanks for the added information.  Your split bottles are very similar in concept...and basically work the same way. 

I've used the original "A-P" with great success and when tied with two nylon adjustable ties along one side, the "A-P" can open just like a clam shell, or, book.  Very convenient when both halves are filled with damp medium, as you noted.  All you need to do is close them around a good stem/branch.

The "A-P" and your hinged bottles are both good, convenient, systems to use when you have to slap on some quick air-layers.  Also, it's good to keep a "kit" in the car trunk, just  in case.

The modified "A-P" should be even better when checking rooting progress.


Frank

I offers 12 pair last year. They work great. I got the med size ones and just use miracle grow potting mix as the medium.

do you think it is too late to start an airlayer here in zone 7b? I've been reading the long range weather forecasts, and they are calling on another year like the last here. So I am going to cover my figs with upside down rain barrels. But my Italian Black is too tall, so I am thinking I might airlayer the top 2 ft and keep the result in the shed. But is it too late?

Our Avg. first frost is Nov 10, but if it is like last year it will be around Oct 25

GeneDaniels,
It usually takes 6 - 8 weeks with temps above 70*F to get a solid root mass, but you could still get a well rooted "2 foot cuttings" and roots will continue to grow at temperatures as low as 50*F.
I would give it a try.