AusBonsai

I air layered my plum tree some months ago in large part to learn how to do it and what success I might have. I have checked on it to see if it had any root growth and it has worked wonderfully.





As we are heading into Autumn, would it be best to leave it till next season to cut it off and pot it, or would now be an opportune time?

I know the trunk is quite thick, around 65mm in diameter, but I do have plans for it going into next season with new growth.

Any help is greatly appreciated.


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Hard to be sure from here.
That's a large trunk for a small amount of roots.
Top will need to be cut back a lot just so that it can stand up. Pruning should stimulate new buds.
Your location in the Blue Mts means early autumn and long winter I assume.

The longer you leave it the more chance of problems - drying out, stay too wet, frost damage, etc.

I'd still be inclined to remove it now. Plums are tough and will probably survive even if it does not sprout new shoots after removing and pruning. The trunk is large and has good reserve of energy so it should still be able to survive through to spring

shibui wrote:I'd still be inclined to remove it now. Plums are tough and will probably survive even if it does not sprout new shoots after removing and pruning. The trunk is large and has good reserve of energy so it should still be able to survive through to spring

I'm actually keen to see how Winter turns out here in the Blue Mountains. Winter wasn't particularly cold when compared to previous Winter's; I had apple trees that kept their leaves through most of Winter last season. Very uncommon for that to happen up here.

In any case, I will remove it tomorrow. I had planned to cut it relatively short. However, I'm very open to suggestions to the contrary. Any thoughts?







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I think you are probably on the right track with that cut.

Well, I cut it and potted it this morning.







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Success!!
I realise I probably had nothing to worry about, but to be honest, I've been sweating on this for 2 months. This is my first successful airlayer; now I just need to produce a decent bonsai...

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Congrats