Callistemon Layering

[Petra]

Hi guys,
after checking some of my layerings and noticing this callistemon with its roots compacted on one side, then after investigating i saw more poking through from underneath the spagnum to the right above the others. I am not sure at this stage if i should cut it from the tree, after my last attempts failed from early planting and leaving too long on the tree.
I would like to here your advise on when to cut it and what to do before planting.

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[Petra]

Bump.

[anttal63]

pet looks ok to me. what i have found with repotting BB is that they dont like too much root taken off and prefer a long soaking (hour's) b4 and after. i also cut back hard a month b4 repotting and wait for it to re shoot. now to translate that to a layer, this is what i would do; firstly let me say i dont use spagnum on its own for layering because it is too hard to get out later and puts the tender roots at risk of damage, which i believe you cant afford with a BB. i would first chop the growth on top back hard or / and defoliate. when it shoots back and all the new buds have opened, only then would i cut it off. removing the spagnum and how much is debatable, again the emphasis is to not damage those roots. pot it up and let the pot soak for an hour or so. put in the shade and protection from wind and keep it WET. i also feel the warmer weather is important. this is what the logic from my experiences tells me but i have not layered a BB ever. hope this helps, good luck.

[Petra]

Thanks Anttal, i appreciate the advise, and ill see what others have to say. Mabey Some one else has done a layering latley.
If you please wouldnt call me Pet, i am a Being not animal. Also some bad memmories there. cheers!

[kcpoole]

How long has it been on?

I have some on now for about 4 weeks and not ready yet

If you have somewhere mild to keep it then I would consider taking it off with those roots. They look good

[Petra]

Thanks for your reply Ken. It was late September, didnt realise myself how long its been. How do i get it off without disturbing the roots, and do i remove all the Spagnum. Another thing you mentioned ,what is meant by somewhere mild to keep it.

[kcpoole]

Thanks for your reply Ken. It was late September, didnt realise myself how long its been. How do i get it off without disturbing the roots, and do i remove all the Spagnum. Another thing you mentioned ,what is meant by somewhere mild to keep it.

Somewhere Out of direct sun and wind, but light and airy
a place you can keep it where you weill not neglect it in the first couple of weeks

I just cut the tree off and not disturb the roots at al if you can. Just pot it up and next repot, worry about cleaning out the moss. The New roots will be too delicate now to tease out

Ken

[sreeve]

That's excellent advice Ken,

I just cut the tree off and not disturb the roots at al if you can. Just pot it up and next repot, worry about cleaning out the moss. The New roots will be too delicate now to tease out

It is so simple that it is overlooked to explain. I learnt the hard way (like many others) and tried to tease out / separate the tender young roots from the sphagnum moss...

The result was a mixture of moss and roots, but none on the tree......Luckily I learnt the error of my ways, but it still cost me a nice tree on my first air layering attempt
Regards
Steve

[Webos]

According to my sources, Ken is spot on..

I was reading in a Bonsai Today magazine just the other day that Sphagnum Layerings should be cut from the tree, bag carefully removed then planted as-is with sphagnum still intact since the new roots will still be too brittle to handle a teasing out...

Good luck!

[Petra]

You guys are great, one other thing the roots are over the ring bark, does this mean i cut past the roots or on the ring bark. Other wise what happens to the stalk in the middle will it rot.

[anttal63]

petra as long as you have good drainage and aeration, no prob.