I have only done air layering on hardwood but it sounds risky if you have not done this already. Your average date of first frost is around weeks 2-3 in November so the air layering would have to yield good results very quickly. I had an acquaintance who complained of having to wait, I think, 3 months for signs of root development; not sure whatever happened with that until you mentioned it in this post. Also, by Nov or earlier, the plant may start going dormant, not sure when in NC.
