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invitro

Registered: 05/03/13
Posts: 2,529
Last seen: 1 month, 21 days
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Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile?
#23684503 - 09/27/16 08:40 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm specifically thinking about fruit trees but I suppose the question could apply to any tree. I'm trying to decide between starting an orchard from seed for desired rootstock with eventual grafting, and getting large air-layered (local, very local- not worried about diseased stock) cuttings (3-4 feet) for lemons. Larger ones for avocado and tangerine (6+ feet), and potentially really large for mango (10++ feet).
It seems like a LOT of time saved with air-layering but I've heard they are not as long-lived, don't have a tap-root etc. I can always replace them later with seedlings if necessary but I'm kind of eager to get up and running super fast with some good fruit bearing trees. If I can get fruit to bear after like a year or two?? and keep it steady for even a few years from a large air layer, I'd probably do it for the income, then maybe train up some decent graft trees for gradual replacement if/when needed.
Anyone experienced with large air-layers here?
Edited by invitro (09/27/16 08:48 PM)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile? [Re: invitro]
#23684987 - 09/27/16 11:40 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I have taken air layers from fig trees before. Largest one was almost 4 feet. I used a plastic gallon milk jug for that. Someone gave me an air layered fig tree once that was almost 5 feet and was also rooted in a gallon milk jug. But most of the air layers i have done have been smaller, usually rooted in half liter water bottles. The challenge with larger air layers is that you need a lot of root mass so that when you separate the air layer from the tree it can survive on its own. This can be difficult especially if you are in a dry climate with low humidity. Get as much root mass as you can and separate the air layer from the tree when it is a cool time of day. The air layer has to be packed with roots, not just a few roots. Good luck.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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invitro

Registered: 05/03/13
Posts: 2,529
Last seen: 1 month, 21 days
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Re: Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile? [Re: Grey Fox]
#23685093 - 09/28/16 12:38 AM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Ok good, lots of roots, noted. Pretty much all figs are done from cutting right? Still want to hear from someone on the seedling vs. air layer comparison...
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile? [Re: invitro]
#23685718 - 09/28/16 08:07 AM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
invitro said: Pretty much all figs are done from cutting right?
Most but not all. Cuttings are the easiest, most common way. But people also do air layers and grafts. People who are interested in breeding new varieties and have access to the fig wasp will grow out seedlings. Air layer is considered the premium, top-end propagation method because you get a big plant fast. Air layers also take the most time and are the most likely to fail. People pay the most for air layered plants for sure.
As far as air layer vs seedling... To properly root out an air layer, especially of the size you are talking about, you're looking at months of time and when you finally cut it from the tree you never know, it could just die from the shock. That happens. If you get a good root mass and the air layer doesn't get shocked during removal you have a large propagated plant that will be just as healthy and vigorous as a seedling or rooted cutting. It takes practice to pull it off well, especially on the size air layers you are talking about.
But there are other things to consider. Seedlings grow into unique new varieties. Many, if not most, new fruit tree varieties are discarded because they aren't productive, the fruit is small, it is not sweet, or whatever other reason... Propagated, distributed fruit tree varieties are the cream of the crop and a lot of time and effort has gone into developing and selecting them.
Also root stocks exist for a reason.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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invitro

Registered: 05/03/13
Posts: 2,529
Last seen: 1 month, 21 days
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Re: Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile? [Re: Grey Fox]
#23686570 - 09/28/16 01:00 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm getting some conflicting info about this after some research, but a couple of sites have said no commercial orchards of mangos do air-layering. I guess it's because mangos are a dryer climate tree and the taproot helps keep it alive. I'm also hearing (conflicting opinions) that air layer roots should sprout in 10-14 days or so, but many say it takes a long time.
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Spanishfly
$$$Rich€€€Bich£££



Registered: 03/19/12
Posts: 1,851
Loc: Spain
Last seen: 6 years, 26 days
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Re: Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile? [Re: invitro]
#23689195 - 09/29/16 02:38 AM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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I grow orchids but have no idea what an air-layer is !!
-------------------- I am currently BANNED from using Private Messages - so can anyone who wants to contact me do it via my Journal thread. Link is https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/23831115 Maybe some mod or whatever might think this has now been long enough.
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Question for orchardists: are large air-layers worthwhile? [Re: Spanishfly]
#23689667 - 09/29/16 08:12 AM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
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Air layering is a method to root a branch on a tree. You do it while the branch is still attached to the tree. You partially scrape the bark on a section of the branch and then cover the scrape with soil or some other rooting medium (picture doing this in something like a plastic jug that is supported in place). By keeping the soil in that jug constantly moist the branch will start to grow roots there. When that jug is full of roots you cut the air layer free from the tree and the branch just became a new, independent small tree.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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