AusBonsai

Hey everyone, I started an air layer some time in mid feb and opened it up last night to see where it was at. It has a few root tips shooting out but mainly had this very large white growth all around the area, can anyone inform me of what's going on here?
Is it callous growth or an early stage of root formation?
Anyway I closed it back up in the hope it was on the right path.
The tree has put out an enormous amount of growth as (Chinese elms are known for) since the layer began.
Thanks for the help!
Ben

You are correct Ben. That is callus and proto roots just starting to form.
I would suggest that you probably should leave this one in place at least until spring. At that stage if it does have even a few roots it should stand separating because roots will grow very quickly in spring.

That is good advice from Shibui . I have had success with both Elms and Japanese Maples starting the layers in February , but you have to be patient and do the separation in Spring . From your picture that layer looks good . Good luck .
Graham

Awesome! Thanks for confirming guys
Would you recommend changing the moss over or just continue with what's there?

I would just leave the existing moss but it does look like your layer is a bit on the small size. Maybe a bit more moss next time?

Ok will keep that in mind for next time
I wasn't too sure on the best way to wrap the layer and being quite small there wasn't a lot of room.
Not sure how you guys get your air layer wraps so neat!

Although you do have the start of some good roots and callus, the stuff that is very white looks like mealy bug. Hard to tell as the area isn't in good focus.

Thanks dansai, I'll open it back up this weekend to have a look for the bugs. Am i best to try and just scrape them off if they are there? Or do they need a pesticide treatment?

Look first, worry later Ben. The photos look like normal callus to me.

If you do find mealy bugs use a systemic insecticide - Confidor treats mealy bug and travels from leaves to roots to kill even those that are underground on the tree. Also look at other products with the same active - Imacloprid?

Great! Thanks shibui, I need to do some insecticide shopping for scale as well

I think it is just normal callus as well.
Also, if it is not, why would you spray anything on such a small tree? Just remove it with your fingers, especially if it is just mealy bugs.

I had a quick look at the layer today and noticed some more substantial roots, not as many as I've seen on other peoples layers when they remove, but I'm wondering what is a good sign it's ok to remove? Or when..
Is it a bad idea to remove coming into dormancy or worse to leave it in the layer?



Thanks for the help everyone!!

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I think I'd leave it over winter Ben. The tree will be going dormant so little growth over winter. The roots will be safe as long as the layer does not dry out too much and if you remove it now there is a chance that it could get a fungal infection because the cuts will not heal while it is dormant.
Even with just a few roots it should be safe to separate toward the end of winter. The roots will grow really strongly as the weather starts to warm up and the whole thing will just take off then.

Well done for a successful layer.

Great! Thanks once again shibui, it's nice when something goes right