The birth of a new fig tree, come see how it's done
Last week, Erika was examining the fig trees, which are now in the greenhouse for the winter. She wasn’t happy with one branch, in particular, because it was growing in an odd direction. Rather than pruning and discarding the branch, she decided to try air layering, a process of propagating, which involves the formation of roots directly on the plant’s stem. After several weeks, roots should begin to form and the branch can then be cut below the root formation area and potted, making for a new fig tree. How fun and practical! Air layering is often used for other woody-stemmed plants, as well, such as magnolia, holly, and fruit and nut trees.
Your blog is so interesting Martha. Thanks for showing us how to do this. I love figs and had 2 lovely trees in South Africa. Although here in Egypt figs are available for about 1 month a year, no one has any gardens so no trees grow where we live. I miss my garden so much... and love to look at yours. Please keep on showing us what you and your staff are doing. It is so inspiring. Thanks
Posted by: Robyn Kadis | December 16th, 2008 at 1:08 am
how interesting. One of my neighbors has afog tree and wanted me to take some cuttings on it. This may be a better way.
Posted by: lisa brawner | December 16th, 2008 at 1:10 am
How can I purchase the cookie decorating kit like the one used on your Dec. 11th show?
Posted by: Sissy Hubbard | December 16th, 2008 at 1:32 am
This is exactly how my father used to propagate new trees. His fig trees were legendary!
Posted by: Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy | December 16th, 2008 at 3:27 am
Boy, Martha, the processing of propagating your fig tree sure brought back memories of learning this technique in high school.
Please keep us posted on how the fig tree is doing.
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | December 16th, 2008 at 3:36 am
Terrific - sending this on to my brother and others on the horticulture staff at Washington National Cathedral.
Posted by: Susie Spaulding | December 16th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Pretty cool, I'd say! I originally tho't that the branch would be staked down to the soil, and air-layered there, but this method will be just as effective. One can't get any better instructions than thru your step-by-step picture guide, Martha!
I missed your show yesterday (12/15), Martha, so I'm hoping to double-up tonite with (who else but) Edgar =^..^=. Some of us from my church choir Christmas-caroled last nite at a local nursing/assisted living home, so I didn't really get to relax last nite, as bedtime came too soon (to gear up for the next day's demands in the holiday shipping world). If ANY of you can spare some time to visit a facility like this [this holiday], I assure you will come away blessed like never before. These people appreciate it sooooo! It's wonderful to see them saying the words to the carols, and/or singing along...their eyes light up as they seem to be remembering Christmases past...
Christmas blessings (again) to you, Martha, Laura and Eliad, and all my fellow blogger-friends who celebrate this sacred time of year!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 16th, 2008 at 5:59 am
This is the procedure I was trying to remember from one of your previous shows! I knew I needed root hormone and moss but didn't remember that the bark needed to be stripped. Anyway, I was going to try it on our orange tree before the last hurricane eliminated that idea.
BTW, great pictures yesterday of your ‘raging brooks’. I checked out your blog early but then had to run. My grand nephew is home from Baghdad and will soon be off to Alaska so we’re having some great visits. Stay dry! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 16th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Not as complicated as it sounds!
Posted by: Linda Crispell | December 16th, 2008 at 6:32 am
KUDOS TO MARTHA!
For driving a wonderful General Motor's Car! I don't have the one Martha drives, but I have an '04 Chevy Aveo, and love it! It gets 34 mph, and I've never had a problem with it.
I love my American-Made Car!
Thanks General Motors!!!
Posted by: Carol | December 16th, 2008 at 6:48 am
fascinating tks 4 sharing this stuff, i have done grafting with spruces & growth hormone and melted parafin, such neat stuff. u r some of the best!
Posted by: charmayne | December 16th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Hi Martha, With directions like these, everyone can propagate new fruit trees, etc. This was a very interesting, inspiring and worthwhile blog. I have heard of this kind of propagating before, but have never seen the process in such an exact way. I can't wait to see the successful outcome. Erika is a master gardener! Kudos to her. I have a title for a new book for you and Erika to write for us......Martha Stewart's Gardening School! I would certainly buy it and I'm sure others would, too. Thanks again for another great blog. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 16th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Oh my gosh, this is very interesting. I had no idea that this could be done.
Posted by: Hollie McTiernan | December 16th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Wow Martha, you make it look easy!
Posted by: Colleen Cruze | December 16th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Mrs. Stewart,
A long time ago, I think it was in one of your Martha Living magazines. You had a section on cooking ganache with some recipes and one with a truffle cake. I had prepared this cake several times for people as a gift. Now I lost the magazine during a move to a new location. If you please help me with the recipe or purchase the magazine again. I would be so grateful. I know it was either a 2000 magaine or 1999.
Ida
Posted by: Ida | December 16th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I did this once. It really works! Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
Posted by: Barbara | December 16th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Right this is how I use my All-Clad pots!
Posted by: simone Heymann | December 16th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
This sort of instruction is so helpful for us visual leaners. Thanks.
Posted by: Zona Wilson | December 16th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
What a great blog entry. I love the detail of the photos. It makes me feel like I could actually do this.
My neighbor has been wanting a cutting from my fig tree but I didn't know how to take one. This is the answer!
Posted by: Camilla | December 17th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Martha.. I love you girl.. learned a lot from watching your shows over the years.. thanks for teaching me how to cook.. your awesome!
Love,
Mark
Posted by: Mark Curtis | December 17th, 2008 at 10:52 am
your show is awesome
Posted by: Mark Curtis | December 17th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the informative blog about Erika's air layering. What a process! You teach us so much.
Thanks again.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | December 24th, 2008 at 1:54 pm