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.

After rummaging through the recycling bin I set up four ALs following the instructions, and was quite pleased with how easy they were in make and install. Plus, I like the thriftiness of reusing these deli containers we get olives in!  I did set up two on the same variety, at the base of this year's growth where the shoots had begun to lignify and one I did not scarify or girdle, just to see what the difference will be.

Love this method!  I owe a few air layers to a few people and JD is on my case about saving those deli containers.  I have a lot of the big ones, 6" x 8.5 x 4"   I LOVE EASY!  Thanks!

Suzi

I am so happy to hear such positive feedback about this method. A few years back one member posted photos of some of his air layers. I noticed that he was using these containers and so I figured out how he put them together. Since then, I have gotten away from using plastic bags. It is important to wrap aluminum foil around these things to reflect the sun's heat. I try to recycle foil that has been used for household stuff that isn't soiled with food, etc.

I will post photos of how to remove the container and pot the air layer in the coming weeks. I have several that will be ready soon.

Eugene, I like your idea about the welding iron. I can make the cuts pretty fast with a scissor but the iron sounds like something to consider.

I went to the dollar store today and got five of those tiny containers for $1 and did the first Air Layer following this method. It's fast and simple. Thank You.
Was wondering if you lost any after removing it.

Nice system. I'm not sure if this will work in a large air layer yet but might be worth a try to lose the weight, to just add some wet cotton balls into the container instead of mix.  Apparently fig air layers will root without anything other than moisture in a dark space.

Here's a few after 27 days in empty foil balls, moisture having gotten into them by whatever means.

 

 

 

Here is Emalyn's Purple that had four wet cotton balls added to the foil ball.

 

She was removed and potted, seems to be ok so far.  

  

Charlie, you blow my mind man.

Thank you, nice alternative. Do you have to re-wet the cotton balls to keep them from drying out? I will experiment here in NM but it gets real hot. You are right that it would work better for small air layers. The larger air layers really need an advanced root ball to survive. It does not look like you ring the bark either.

Sas, I have never lost an air layer doing this method.

[QUOTE=leon_edmond]Thank you, nice alternative. Do you have to re-wet the cotton balls to keep them from drying out? I will experiment here in NM but it gets real hot. You are right that it would work better for small air layers. The larger air layers really need an advanced root ball to survive. It does not look like you ring the bark either.[/QUOTE]

I didn't open this ball until yesterday so no, they weren't re-wetted.  No, I have never girdled a fig for air layer.  Pulled some leaves off so I suppose that counts as injury.

I dont speak russian, but i like the way this air layer is secured.

https://youtu.be/xZZg8JWU8BI

What great ideas! Thanks for sharing guys!
We're in the middle of doing some air layers, and yes it gets old trying to keep the plastic bags secured while filling with soil, etc. Definitely going to try this!

Wish me luck Mr. Leon I packed mine with Sphagnum moss which isn't my favorite next time potting soil 

   

Hi all.
I just wanted to ad, in the container method make sure the container is well secured because it will easily spin and break the roots.
Vito

Great minds think alike Vito 


 

I like that Dave

Nice Job Dave. I sometimes tie the container to another branch for the same reason.

Ok guys, I promised to show you how I remove an air layer and pot it up.

Here I am pruning the air layer from the mother tree.
 
  
 

 

I place a layer of potting soil in the bottom of the pot, then I estimate where the air layer will fit before removing the plastic container.
 
You should be able to remove the rootball intact from its plastic container.  

 

Then center it in the pot and fill in with potting soil.
 

Water the soil around the root ball to fill in any gaps.
 

Pot up is finished. Now to place under a tent for a few days.
 

My cloche is made from a 5 gal water bottle with the bottom cut off. In this case if the air layer is too tall for the cloche to cover it completely, I'll set the one gallon pot inside of an empty 5 gallon container as a spacer. Then I'll place the cloche over this. They work well for me. Everyone has their own method.
 
 
I keep my air layers under this plastic tent in the shade for a few days. The cap comes off after two days and I wean the plant when I see no wilting of leaves. You can certainly use a sheet of plastic and bamboo sticks to do the same thing.
 
 



  

Hi Leon.
I thought of using those containers for frost protection in the spring for my tomatoes.
Good Idea.
Vito

Wow this is very cool! I have been wanting to try an air layer but put it off for this year, now I know how I'll do it next year. Does it hurt a tree to have more than one air layer at a time? Thanks for sharing.

Vito- Go to your local bottle water company and ask them for their bottle rejects and defects. They give them to me for free. I use a hand saw to cut the bottoms off. Make sure you get the plastic caps with the bottles. Depending on where you make the cut, the bottle can fit perfectly over the rim of a 5 gallon nursery container.

(BTW- the air layer in those last photos is the Aldo's I promised you!)


Devlsgro- you can do multiple air layers on a tree but if the tree is young, I only do one air layer per main branch.

Thank you leon_edmund

Here's a post that I made on those plastic cloche bottles.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/improvised-tent-for-fig-air-layers-7493598?highlight=cloche&pid=1287843750

Thank you very much Leon, It looks beautiful!

Vito

[QUOTE=evladi7654]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..[/QUOTE]

Hi, Evaldi, what do you mean by "a welder from the dollar store"?  Just curious because I don't know what that means.  Thanks!

Is it generally preferred to leave the roots as is when potting up?  Years back the general advice when transplanting (not just figs) was to pull out some of the roots that wound around the container wall. This supposedly would encourage root spreading and healthier growth.

Great job Leon I like the idea of using potting soil instead of Sphagnum moss and you hit it out of the park with the water bottle humidity dome good job How long did it take from start to finish to see roots ?