Hi all. I just signed up here and went straight to the propagation forum, since that's where my heart is. I had my first "real" success this summer. I propagated a 40 year old fig tree and a 5 year old crepe myrtle using the air layering method. What a great feeling when this works! Here's the fig tree I did this summer.

From this:


To this:


To this:

and

Thanks PlantMania for the welcome!

Welcome RobinM
Love the success and the photos, thanks. Sure hope you decide to write articles and submit to NGA for publication. Many people could benefit from your experience and step-by-step photos.

Thanks greene! I may do that. I don't, however, consider myself an expert. I've had a little experience and little success but it was such fun doing it. I have a folder with pictures of the whole process. I may write something up and do a tutorial. The crepe myrtle I did was a branch that was about 12'. It and the fig tree are both now planted in the landscape and seem to be doing well. I won't know that it was truly successful though until spring as they've not made it through a winter yet so we will see.

Air layering is my favorite way of propagation. A couple of years ago I did a dogwood tree and a kwanzan cherry tree and a star magnolia.

Good job with your fig @RobinM Did you have any die back when you cut it from the mother plant?

@plantcollector, I didn't have any die back at all. I was surprised about that. I even got 4 figs off of it this year, while it was still in the pot. I started the layer in late February and cut it from the mother tree in April. It sat in a pot on my deck until about 3 weeks ago when I planted it next to my utility building. It is doing great so far.

That's awesome you even got some fruit. I had a little die back on mine but not much. I don't think you will have any problems marking it though the winter

Congrats on your air layering success and welcome to NGA @RobinM!

Welcome to NGA!
Thanks for sharing the photos of your success with air layering!

Wow. The time has flown by. I didn't realize how long it has been since I was here! If anyone is still checking this thread, here's an update. The fig is doing awesome. Twice it's size now and loaded with fruit. The crepe/crape myrtle is doing "well" but not awesome.