Interesting way to propagate fruit trees...has anyone tried it?

Air-layering plant propagation. Never heard of it before.

I saw a post by Jack Spirko saying this works but you can use a plastic bottle instead.  Apparently you trim off the bark on a branch and cover it with something that has soil in it and it creates roots, then you cut off the limb with the roots and plant it.

But I had never seen this before and wondered if anyone has tried it and how did it go?

Seems like a cheap way to get more trees with just some time invested, but would wonder about the tree...since you are getting roots off the limb which is not the rootstock (my trees are all bought, not from seed), how will it grow and how will it produce?

Here’s a link to a pod you can purchase.  I have not bought this and don’t have any idea about this company.

https://brightmodest.com/products/air-layering-plant-propagator-pod

This is a tried-and-true, real propagation method - go for it!

I'm sure there are some species that work better than others, or more reliably, but I have no idea which.  

If you've already planned to do some light pruning in the fall, why not try it on a few twigs?

Can I try it now and then transplant to a pot to wait for fall planting in the ground?

High there. I have successfully done it and then screwed it up. I tried it using a plastic water bottles stuffed with compost. It took a couple months and the roots were visible. Here’s where the problem happens. Those roots are so fragile I found them very difficult not to damage. I think I may have had one or two plants that I didn’t mess up and are still alive today. There are commercially made air layering devices that would probably work much better. They’re a bit pricey but appear sturdy and easy to use.
I think it also depends on the tree. Fig, mulberry, and pomegranate are very easy to root and don’t take a ton of care. Pear and peaches get pruned and stuck in moist soil. With elderberry taking a root division will have you a new tree ready to plant in two weeks.
Keep us posted on your progress!

This was the picture I planned to post. Sometimes I get to rambling and forget to post the proof! I lose track of time when taking about plants!

I can remember my Dad using a plastic bag to do this 50+ years ago on an indoor plant he liked but which had grown too large for the space available, so the concept's been around a long time!

I think, as with most techniques, it has pros and cons and works better or worse based on the plant, the timing, the weather, one's ability to keep an eye on what's happening etc. A friend used the technique to get me a clone of her Rosemary plant which is so large now it needs a serious pruning, so just as when you take a cutting (which is also a "limb") and stick it in dirt and it grows roots, or if you do the technique at ground level where it's just called "layering", or the variation I do where I choose a branch close to the ground, stick it through a hole in the side of a pot with the leaves sticking out the top and hope it puts roots into the pot, they all work with varying amounts of success.

I feel two key things with air-layering is the ability to keep a close eye on the moisture level in the medium you surround the branch with and the medium you use. Traditionally, peat moss was used, but if it dries out by accident, it's very hard to "re-wet" as dry peat moss almost seems to repel water. (Also peat moss is considered an endangered species particularly on some regions of the planet.) The times I've tried the technique, I've used coir which is a by-product of the palm oil/coconut industry. It has to be shipped long distances, and is not being produced sustainably, so I try to use it only when necessary but it soaks up moisture well and holds it well so I keep some on hand for special situations. If I'm going to get a whole shrub or tree out of a little coir mixed with compost and other goodies, that's a trade off I'm willing to live with.

Trying *all* the different techniques - including starting from seeds as that gives genetic diversity you don't get with cloning - to see which ones work with the particular plant you want to propagate, is a totally worthwhile learning experience because you never know when you might come across a situation where a specific technique will be the best option as a quick solution to a problem that needs fixing. For example, growing lots of biomass on disturbed soil so it won't erode - having lots of self-propagated plants (read "cheap") to plant as soon as possible and not having to worry if they don't all make it is something I wish I'd known I could do on the first property I bought decades ago.

As for the one in your link - $30 for something you can make out of a plastic bottle that could be upcycled to do the same task doesn't appeal to me. That said, at one point I was given a set of these: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/sets/102234-set-of-5-rooter-pots-with-root-stimulator-and-syringe which are $30 Canadian for a set of 5 and are what my friend used to get me a piece of her Rosemary. They are fiddly to use and will only be re-usable a limited number of times, so if you feel you need to start with something commercial, I'd suggest you consider them.

I'm in the process of trying it right now, for four trees (three apples, one apricot).

Alas, but after nearly six weeks, I still don't see any roots. I had a later frost early on, and think that may have ruined my attempt, but plan to keep trying, keeping the bag moist, to see what happens.

@Jamin - I find it takes a long time often, partly depending on the time of year you start. Freezing temps could certainly damage tiny roots! Also, I recall with trees you want "last years growth" to be the place to cover, and personally, I've found that usually its only where buds are that actually decide to put out roots instead of leaves where the technique works even though that's not always stated - that's just personal observation. Hopefully a permie who's done more of this will speak up.

M Johnson wrote:Can I try it now and then transplant to a pot to wait for fall planting in the ground?

Yes. Just be sure that the root system is large enough. This may take a couple months.

The new tree will be a clone of the named tree. It will grow to the size of whatever is standard for that tree. Many grafted nursery trees are on dwarfing rootstock to make them smaller.

As it pertains to frost I didn’t see any negative issues. The photo I posted was taken mid March, four weeks before our last frost. I had several layers of plastic covering the bottle to keep moisture in and I’m sure heat as well.

Scott Stiller wrote:This was the picture I planned to post. Sometimes I get to rambling and forget to post the proof! I lose track of time when taking about plants!

Hi Scott - what kind of tree is that in the picture?  Are there certain trees/shrubs that this method doesn't work well on?

I think it would work on any tree. I have successfully produced peach and pear clones with the technique. What kind are you wanting to try?

I was wondering if it worked for any tree?  Say oak or ash or magnolia?

I’m not sure. I would think that hardwoods would be more difficult but I’ve never tried either. Sorry

I would like to try this with perlite as the medium.
Seems bonsai enthusiasts use it for air layering to good effect.
Apparently perlite stays moist but drains freely as well.