I have a couple of pecan trees in the yard, and decided to try air layering on three branches. It's remarkably easy. We can see a few roots after two weeks, and after a month or so, we will cut off those branches and plant them.
The handyman I have working on my atrium said a friend of his has grapefruit, lemon, naval orange, pear, and apricot trees that he can air-layer for a six pack of beer. I planted a date seed from a dried date that I ate; hope it germinates. I'd like a fig tree; think I'll plant some fig seeds from dried figs. I'd also like a few olive trees. We had nice oaks, but oak wilt is taking them; has already taken most. Some were massive, 16" diameter or more. An orchard is a good alternative.
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On figs, Air layering is a good propagation method, the rule with them is the larger the branch you can get to root, the quicker you will have viable fruit.
glennlab
Level 10
Sep 8, 2018
0
Thanks. I don't know of any to use for air layering, yet.
@EdEarl If you can find someone with a fig tree that has good figs, see if you can trim a branch, 2-4 feet, plant it in potting soil until roots develop, then transfer out doors. It is best to do this in spring when there are long green shoots coming out. You normally get a little fruit the first year, but don't allow it to develop, it takes too much of the strength first year. Second year, fair game.
In Texas, your best bet for a healthy pecan is native roots with grafts from an improved tree. The improved trees are susceptible to several soil borne diseases that the natives are not, the improved have large nuts, while the native has small hard to open and pick nuts. Since it can take 10 years before they start to produce nuts with any volume, chose wisely.
glennlab
Level 10
Sep 8, 2018
1
Thanks for the advice. My existing trees must be native, they have small, hard to open and pick nuts. I can get access to branches that give large nuts. I suppose I should graft branches that give large nuts onto the other.
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