AusBonsai

Hey everyone,

I have had success propogating small japanese maple cuttings (max 5mm approx)

I have also had success propogating fig truncheons.



What about maples???? Anyone tried it? I know there is a huge difference between a maple and a fig. Figs will sprout roots absolutely anywhere but maples are different.


Anyone ever tried with success or failure? Would be great to hear your experiences....

Maples don't root reliably from cuttings, however they generally respond well to layering. Air layers or ground layers should both work.

As suggested by Truth, thicker maples are usually air layered.
I have 4 pots going at the moment with the thickest one being around 3cm and all of them appear successful with roots coming out of the bottom.
These were all layered with sphagnum moss and bonsai potting mix in early summer.

OK so some people say that it is not possible has anyone tried it personally?

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I have occasionally put in large cuttings 20-30mm diam of trident maple and had some of them produce roots so it is possible.

A former bonsai nurseryman that I know would take 30cm+ long dormant cuttings of Trident Maple at up to 5cm diameter and get them to take root in his greenhouse, without bottom heat. Media used was perlite. An important consideration would be to support the trunks after transplanting, until the roots are heavy enough or plentiful enough to support the weight of the trunk, as you would after removing a layer. Oversize cuttings can produce radial roots. Whether it is easier than layering would probably depend on the setup used for cuttings.

With a proper enclosure, humidification and bottom heat you can grow roots on nearly anything.

Cheers,
Mojo