Air Layering

[TimS]

Not normal no, after separation they should at worst just stop active growth and at best keep actively growing

Sounds like it might have been separated with insufficient rootage or dried out after separation.

[SuperBonSaiyan]

I don't know why I thought now was a good time to separate... I must've mixed up the timing for Shimpaku's (2 months), vs Japanese maples (wait until autumn at least).

[legoman_iac]

I have only done trident layers ... they tend to do their own leaf management. Usually leaves turn red, then drop while I'm making the layer.

Took another look today, no sign of roots but the two that had dropped all leaves are now shooting new leaves!

So guess it's only a failure when it goes on the great big compost heap in the sky, haha

- Daniel

[TimS]

First successful layer for the season for me is this JM Kotohime layer. First roots just touching the edge of the bag now, but it won't be separated until they get down to the bottom of the bag

I have another one down lower that is wrist thickness which is what i actually want to succeed, but at least if it doesn't then i still have one to work with

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[BonsaiBobbie]

Don’t do my mistake. I suspect you won’t.

Watching watching a layer. Decide to leave it till a move before checking it (plastic was white). In that time the moss dried out and so did the layer. It is bloody windy in my new spot and it has dried out all the leaves. Hopefully I have got it in enough time.

This was was more to gain another tree than throw out perfectly good material so nothingostnif it doesn’t.

[TimS]

The rate at which the sphagnum dries out once the roots have started developing can catch you out a bit, especially if the layer is on a tree in full sun for sure.

I planned to try some on my Prunus mume alboplena garden tree as branches are getting thick now, but too late in the year I reckon

[BonsaiBobbie]

Yes. Definitely.

I think I was also caught out because I would open the top and it was wet there, but it was the bottom that was dry, and I didn't want to saturate things.

Such is life. Lesson learnt.

[SuperBonSaiyan]

I checked on the few olive air layers I did. No roots at all, just a bunch of white spots on the callous area.

I'm not disappointed by this, but I'm not sure what went wrong. Like TimS said - when roots come out, the sphagnum moss dries up quite quickly. This moss was just as moist as the day I set the layer (~3 months ago).

[TimS]

I checked on the few olive air layers I did. No roots at all, just a bunch of white spots on the callous area.

I'm not disappointed by this, but I'm not sure what went wrong. Like TimS said - when roots come out, the sphagnum moss dries up quite quickly. This moss was just as moist as the day I set the layer (~3 months ago).

Don't stress yet, i think we started ours about 2 weeks apart and only one of the 7 or so i've done have rooted, the rest are doing bugger all

Here's 3 days worth of root development on the successful layer though

December 19

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December 22

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[gnichols]

Happy with my results. I bought some of those plastic grafting shells from ebay. They come in half circles and clip together. This calistemon is going ok. I think I had it on for two years.

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[TimS]

Happy with my results. I bought some of those plastic grafting shells from ebay. They come in half circles and clip together. This calistemon is going ok. I think I had it on for two years.

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Looks fantastic, i’ve been pondering getting a few of the shells as the whole bag thing is a bit of a faff. This might have convinced me it’s worth doing

[gnichols]

Happy with my results. I bought some of those plastic grafting shells from ebay. They come in half circles and clip together. This calistemon is going ok. I think I had it on for two years.

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Looks fantastic, i’ve been pondering getting a few of the shells as the whole bag thing is a bit of a faff. This might have convinced me it’s worth doing

Yeah the bags are a little annoying and the shells keep everything secure. They have a small hole on the sides where you can add water to the spagnum moss, without pulling everything apart. I'd recommend also using a cable tie - it's good to pack it tight but this can cause the shell to pop open.

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[Stevie_B]

I was inspired by this post and thought I would give it a crack on one of my big’uns. It’s a mel of some description I guess.

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Layered in late Sept

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I chopped them yesterday. They’ve been in water overnight to pot then today.

I really have appreciated the advice and comments in this post in particular, especially about where to position your layer so that it expresses the movement and interest we are looking for.

[TimS]

With the discussion here of leaving maple layers on until Autumn/ for multiple years, and this being my general position on air layer removal as well, i got to wondering 'i wonder what happens if i separate it when the roots have reached the bottom of the bag? whenever that may be'

Well the roots reached the bottom of the bag yesterday, and were beginning to form secondary lateral roots off the primary ones, so i figured what about a bit of an experiment and i separated the layer and potted it into 100% sphagnum moss

That marks 9 days between first roots reaching the outside of the bag where they were observable, and the layer being entirely separated from the tree.

I'll post updates on how it goes, but after 24 hours there is no discernable change get to the tree

kotolayer.jpg

[KIRKY]

As it didn’t miss a beat after yesterdays heat, I think your on a winner just make sure not to let it dry out.
Cheers
Kirky