AusBonsai

Wanting to air layer trident maple, fig and crabapple now, is it too early?

Where are you - your location makes a big difference. If you lived in Brisbane I would say yes absolutely.

Has it got leaves?

What about Melbourne? Is it good now for air layer?


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I would think it would be best to wait in Melbourne - unless you had 31 degrees yesterday like we did here in Brissy ? Beano is right - the tree needs to be growing for an air layer to work.

In Sydney most of my trees are showing active growth now ( or just about to) so I would be happy to put on a layer now.
I the few weeks to start putting roots they will definitely get a head start.

Ken

Ok got it too early for Melbourne then! I repotted some trees already hopefully was not too early for that too!


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Depends on the trees for repotting. Deciduous trees generally done now prior to leafing out for spring. An air layer works by disrupting the nutrient supply from the roots, but not the water supply. It is then forced to produce new roots at the ring barked area so it can begin to get nutrients to this part of the tree again. It still requires energy to do this, so it needs to have leaves on it to photosynthesise so it can produce this energy. A deciduous tree with no leaves is not producing any energy, so doing an air layer now would not be beneficial in my opinion and potentially open up a dormant tree to infection/rotting risk.

There should be no problem starting air layers now in Melbourne. I'm going to do a few maples next week.
Lots of Carbs stored in the stems. Roots should start shortly after the leaves.

Thanks


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