JM From a Tree to Bonsai.

[Pearcy001]

So this evening I raced against the sun to put on some layers.

Due to the trees current position, alot of the Western facing side of the tree appears to have damage/die back, either due to the sun or the wind. This unfortunately limited the places worth putting layers on. Either way I wasn't going to be detured

Due to the sun setting fast I only got on 3 layers on. They were ringbarked and scrapes back, before being stuffed with spagnum moss. I found it easiest to first chop the spagnum moss and place it in a bucket, then use a spray bottle to get it evenly damp rather than a tap. I used zip lock bags torn down the two side edges to hold the moss, being seiled with cable ties on both ends and electrical tape at the tops.





^ The heart of the tree, keeping it alive









After the photos were taken I also added an additional cable tie around the centre of the layers and wrapped foil around them, leaving it open at the bottom.

I did not use any rooting hormone on the layers and am beginning to think I should have. I didn't bother because I thought it wouldn't make a difference since we are going into winter and it will be gone before the roots really start to grow in spring. Thoughts?

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[shibui]

Too late now but for next time: Rooting compound is absorbed direct through the bark and the wounded bark. It works at all time of the year and even on dormant hardwood like this.
It has been good practice but I would not have worried about the layers. There's no way they will have roots before spring when you should be root pruning and cutting the trunk.

[KyBonzai]

Maybe an off topic question but would it be a good time to try and air layer a trident maple?

[KIRKY]

Great work. Three down how many more to go? You can use rooting hormones on the next lot. See which is better come Spring with or without.
Cheers
Kirky

[Pearcy001]

Too late now but for next time: Rooting compound is absorbed direct through the bark and the wounded bark. It works at all time of the year and even on dormant hardwood like this.

Bugger haha. Will definitely be keeping that in mind for next time, I just presumed it wouldn't last! And I definitely understand what you mean about not worrying, but I thought I could at least get a bit of practice in.

Great work. Three down how many more to go? You can use rooting hormones on the next lot. See which is better come Spring with or without.

Will do Kirky. I even made these ones all different amounts of moisture to see if it makes a difference. I figure if nothing else I might as well try learn something from this

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[shibui]

Maybe an off topic question but would it be a good time to try and air layer a trident maple?

You can layer at any time of year Ky but these won't grow roots until the plant starts to grow in spring. A layer put on in spring will start to grow roots almost straight away. Both will have good roots about the same time - mid summer. A late summer/ autumn layer will start to grow roots but probably won't have enough to be able to remove it in winter so usually has to stay on the tree over winter as well.

[Pearcy001]

Did an inspection of the layers this afternoon. It seems one has gone mouldy!

This layer was the driest of the three, and probably the smallest amount of spagnum moss as well. I would have thought that would make it the least likely to go off? I have inspected the other two and they seem to be fine so I am confused:?:





Any thoughts on why it's turned?

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[shibui]

I have not seen mould in layers but often some of the sphagnum starts to grow. Maybe that's what you can see?
I would not worry about what's in there until you get roots.

[kcpoole]

Mixup some as a liquid and squirt in with syringe

[Pearcy001]

I have not seen mould in layers but often some of the sphagnum starts to grow. Maybe that's what you can see?
I would not worry about what's in there until you get roots.

Hi Neil,

I never knew the spagnum would grow but it completely makes sense that it would when moist. If it is in fact mould, would it be detrimental to the layer if left?

Mixup some as a liquid and squirt in with syringe

Hi Ken,

Sorry I don't understand what you mean, mix up what?

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[shibui]

If it is in fact mould, would it be detrimental to the layer if left?

I don't know for sure but I doubt it would hurt. There are many hundreds (thousands? ) of 'moulds'. Most are harmless, some are beneficial and a few are harmful. Only time will tell if yours are benign or nasty.
1. Sphagnum is supposed to have antibacterial properties. It has been used as wound dressings in the past. It dos seem to have some special root promoting aspects that other substances don't seem to show.
2. Roots are quite resistant to many fungi/moulds. They exist with them in the soil all the time. By now, nearly 2 months, the tree should have sealed off most, if not all, open wounds so infection of the live parts of the tree should be remote.

Think positive and look forward to roots.

Mixup some as a liquid and squirt in with syringe

Methinks KC is talking about the rooting hormones??? I know some nurseries are using a 1:1 water/ hormone solution and spraying on the leaves of cuttings rather than the traditional dipping the base of cuttings so it is possible the hormones can be absorbed in lots of ways. Too late to spray on the leaves now I suspect but might still have some influence if you put some into the plastic on the sphagnum?

[Pearcy001]

These layers still havnt quite pushed roots as yet. I thought for sure they would have grown roots by now.

I removed one of the layers to check it today, spagnum was still moist and not over wet and it appeared to be callousing.

Can anyone confirm if it's on the right path, or is it something else? First time layering really.

Thanks.







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[Daluke]

Definitely looks like it's on the right path.

The roots should start forming soon.

I'd add in some dirt to your moss and cover the layer with foil/dark garbage bag.

Roots grow better without sunlight beaming down on them.

[shibui]

The lumpy yellowish growth at the top of each cut is known as callus. It is the tree healing the cuts and that's where the new roots will form as long as it stays damp o put the moss back on and close it up. These probably won't have good roots for a few more months, maybe not till autumn. I think these may be slower than normal because the tree was sunburnt and a bit sick when you layered.

I disagree with Daluke about putting soil in the moss. Soil can contain pathogens which could infect the plant. Pure sphagnum should be best to grow roots.
Covering the layers with something dark won't hurt but I'm not convinced it helps. I have had plenty of layers where the roots were growing just inside a clear plastic bag where it was exposed to some light.

[Pearcy001]

Thanks guys.

As soon as I took the layer off to check how it was going I wet it with a spray bottle as it was quite windy at the time. I added a bit extra spagnum to it and packed it back in as soon as I could.

I have foil over my layers, closed over at the top with the bottom left open to allow for drainage.

You're right about the sunburn slowing it down Neil. The layer at the bottom has got some roots visable and I've noticed it's branches aren't as badly damaged.

The two upper layers are much slower, with the foliage battered due to the weather wind and sun. Unfortunately I don't have anywhere I can move it to that's why I'm going to chop it down.

Cheers again for the help,
Pearcy.

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