Split Decision

[ETXfigs]

I call these plants "two for the price of one". You can see in the pics that they are growing into a double main stem/trunk tree. I would like to make two trees out of one. Is air layering the best way to do this? I have propagated cuttings but never air layer. I am worried that if I cut half that plant off and try to propagate it as a cutting, it might not grow. One of these plants is Mavra Sika (a cutting gifted from the forum) and the other is I258.

If I do air layer these, when is the best time to do it? Should I wait until next spring, or do it now? I would appreciate any advice on what you would do with young fig trees like this. Thanks.

 

[Topfigs]

Ah yes, the classic “two for the price of one” fig tree—nature’s BOGO deal. Gotta love it!

Air layering is definitely your best bet here, especially with keepers like Mavra Sika and I-258. It’s way less risky than taking a big cutting and hoping it roots. Think of it as rooting insurance—you’re letting the plant do the hard work before you cut.

If your trees are still actively growing and you’ve got another 6–8 weeks of warm weather ahead, you can start the air layer now. Just keep the moss moist and out of direct sun—treat it like a spa day for your fig limb. But if fall is creeping in and growth is slowing, no shame in waiting until spring. Timing is everything, even in fig surgery.

Either way, you’ve got a sweet double-header there—good luck, and may the roots be with you!

 

[ETXfigs]

Ah yes, the classic “two for the price of one” fig tree—nature’s BOGO deal. Gotta love it!

Air layering is definitely your best bet here, especially with keepers like Mavra Sika and I-258. It’s way less risky than taking a big cutting and hoping it roots. Think of it as rooting insurance—you’re letting the plant do the hard work before you cut.

If your trees are still actively growing and you’ve got another 6–8 weeks of warm weather ahead, you can start the air layer now. Just keep the moss moist and out of direct sun—treat it like a spa day for your fig limb. But if fall is creeping in and growth is slowing, no shame in waiting until spring. Timing is everything, even in fig surgery.

Either way, you’ve got a sweet double-header there—good luck, and may the roots be with you!

I also have this WM#1 that I can get two for the price of one.

 

[superdave336]

I agree air layering is the way. Several ways to do it but my favorite and most successful way is to use another pot. Example below.

 

[ETXfigs]

I agree air layering is the way. Several ways to do it but my favorite and most successful way is to use another pot. Example below.

Wow! I like that idea. That's how I will do it. I think that I will let the Mavra Sika get bigger, maybe next spring, but the I-258 and WM#1 are ready right now.

 

[ktrain]

I let them grow like that for the sole purpose of air layering one side off.
Right now I have several.
Instant clones!

 

[grasshopper]

I agree air layering is the way. Several ways to do it but my favorite and most successful way is to use another pot. Example below.

I like his style - to the point, keep it short & simple.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Air layering will work just fine and definitely the go-to in this situation …. But for the lazy propagator (me) I’d just bury it in a deep pot well above the Y and wait…. Before long, baddy-bing! Two trees….. it’s probably slower than layering… but as mentioned above … lazy

 

[ETXfigs]

Air layering will work just fine and definitely the go-to in this situation …. But for the lazy propagator (me) I’d just bury it in a deep pot well above the Y and wait…. Before long, baddy-bing! Two trees….. it’s probably slower than layering… but as mentioned above … lazy

That is a good idea too. I'm glad I started this thread. This is going to be much easier than I thought. I was actually thinking about up potting the I-258 and WM#1 from 3 gal to 7 gal. Maybe I will do that and bury it deep enough to make two trees. That seems like the easiest way.

 

[Lance]

I may be the divergent response, but I would leave it to grow as is. Early in my fig growing, I attempted to grow all of my fig trees as single trunks, encouraging lateral branching at least 4-5’. I’ve since changed my strategy.

First of all, if you see ficus carica growing in the wild, their natural growth is multi-trunked, creating a dome-like structure. I have seen some benefits to this, whether potted or in-ground.

Though I’m in the sunny and hot south, this may even be applicable in northern climates. I have found that low lateral branches and/or multiple trunks provides shade for the root system. This may seem to fly in the face of many who seek heat and reduced moisture for their fig trees, but the roots seem to appreciate the less hot soil and more consistent moisture. Without this shading, I’ve measured soil temperatures over 130 degrees in both pots and in ground.

Also note, in spring, when there are no leaves, the sun is able to reach the soil to warm it up, and less so as the season progresses.

If one is too concerned about high growth to root ratio, either go for larger pots and/or top prune over lateral pruning.

I would be curious to see how this approach works for more northern growers, but my experience in the south has been consistently reliable.

 

[Lance]

Air layering will work just fine and definitely the go-to in this situation …. But for the lazy propagator (me) I’d just bury it in a deep pot well above the Y and wait…. Before long, baddy-bing! Two trees….. it’s probably slower than layering… but as mentioned above … lazy

Easy, more reliable and established.

 

[ktrain]

The reason most of mine are single trunk is storage.
Having over 100 pots you need all the room you can get.
In ground is a different story.

 

[Lance]

The reason most of mine are single trunk is storage.
Having over 100 pots you need all the room you can get.
In ground is a different story.

Yeah, for the few I would overwinter under indoor grow lights, I would prune to a single trunk, then top prune in spring, when I took them outside.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

They should do great to air layer. They’re very healthy trees.

 

[ETXfigs]

Well, I did it the way @TorontoJoe suggested to my I-258. I'm not in a hurry to split this into two trees. I can let it grow like this and then next spring split it, or I could do like @Lance said and just let it grow like this into a two trunk tree, but I am definitely leaning towards a two for the price of one deal. Does it look like I buried it deep enough to grow enough roots for two trees?

Before


After

 

[superdave336]

I’d like to think that would work. Did you rough up the trunk any? Not sure that’s necessary though.

 

[ETXfigs]

I’d like to think that would work. Did you rough up the trunk any? Not sure that’s necessary though.

I did a little bit.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Well, I did it the way @TorontoJoe suggested to my I-258. I'm not in a hurry to split this into two trees. I can let it grow like this and then next spring split it, or I could do like @Lance said and just let it grow like this into a two trunk tree, but I am definitely leaning towards a two for the price of one deal. Does it look like I buried it deep enough to grow enough roots for two trees?

Before
View attachment 9936

After
View attachment 9937

That’ll work. Very low risk

Such a great fig. I’ve actually never eaten one from a potted tree. I keep putting them in containers to try and then people ask me for trees so Ive given them away. I’ve managed to hold onto a couple this year so hopefully I can grow it out and see if they’re different

 

[superdave336]

@TorontoJoe do you have a I-258 tree for me?

 

[superdave336]

That was a joke @TorontoJoe I have I-258.