AusBonsai

this one i bought back in june this year and slipped it into a bigger pot. august i pruned back top growths and was rewarded in spring with some nice back budding where i need to re build the tree. now i've decandled for farther budding. this is the one i hope to layer in autumn.

Out of curiosity Ant, were are you going to do the layer? Loaded question......mate! The reason i ask is i hear all this talk from people saying they are layering this that and the other thing. I dont do any myself! I dont see anything other then the trunk in this tree, the straight section above the trunk i assume is were you are going to do it and i ask why? Looking at that top section, i wouldnt want it if it were given to me. For the sake of it, wouldnt it be easier to go to the nursery and buy one thats a much better prospect for $20 or $30. I guess if i were faced with the prospect of a really nice tree of mine that required reducing in height or something similar i would consider it...i guess. I would however do an air layer on a tree growing in the ground that had some suitable qualities. I seem to be alone in this way of thinking and i would like for someone to turn the light on for me
Peter

I know what you mean Peter, I have not done a lot of air layering in the past but it seems to me to be the only way to obtain decent Aus native stock, so I'm about to learn and I guess to some extent that is what Antonio is doing - practicing. I can see opportunity in the bottom of this trunk for a mini perhaps.

Jon

PeterW wrote:Out of curiosity Ant, were are you going to do the layer? Loaded question......mate! The reason i ask is i hear all this talk from people saying they are layering this that and the other thing. I dont do any myself! I dont see anything other then the trunk in this tree, the straight section above the trunk i assume is were you are going to do it and i ask why? Looking at that top section, i wouldnt want it if it were given to me. For the sake of it, wouldnt it be easier to go to the nursery and buy one thats a much better prospect for $20 or $30. I guess if i were faced with the prospect of a really nice tree of mine that required reducing in height or something similar i would consider it...i guess. I would however do an air layer on a tree growing in the ground that had some suitable qualities. I seem to be alone in this way of thinking and i would like for someone to turn the light on for me
Peter

no you're not alone, you are right again. now here is my thought process; 1) that stick on top would need to be worked to lower buds of the layer. what you got here is base girth rather than getting a seedling to that thickness and yes you would probably be best putting it in the ground. 2) when you do have a nice section to layer on an advanced tree, do you want it to be the first time or would it be better to practice techniques on this piece of crap.

Jon Chown wrote:I know what you mean Peter, I have not done a lot of air layering in the past but it seems to me to be the only way to obtain decent Aus native stock, so I'm about to learn and I guess to some extent that is what Antonio is doing - practicing. I can see opportunity in the bottom of this trunk for a mini perhaps.

Jon

you got it jon; i too think this could be a great shohin. but we shall see.

no you're not alone, you are right again. now here is my thought process; 1) that stick on top would need to be worked to lower buds of the layer. what you got here is base girth rather than getting a seedling to that thickness and yes you would probably be best putting it in the ground. 2) when you do have a nice section to layer on an advanced tree, do you want it to be the first time or would it be better to practice techniques on this piece of crap. [/quote]


Ahh.....ok now i understand. I must say, getting expieriance with layering whilst in the comfort of home with all the gear you need nice and handy sure beats doing it half way up a ladder leaning against a tree and miles from home! Thanks Ant
Peter

I like this tree, especially after the budding.

I am not sure what I can add -- at risk of repeating what have already been said. I am ranting on anyway...

I would layer it at the point drawn. I would keep the two new branches as future leader -- one is for back up.

Following that direction, I would one by one cut off the other big branches so that these two will develop
more quickly.

Regards,

Viet.

viet i would tend layer a little lower and take advantage of the girth and direction change. i will also attempt to layer on an angle that optimise's that.( not nessecarily the one drawn)
the leader you have chosen will make a great shohin. for a taller tree i would like a bud in the back right hand side coming out of that turn.
viet your ranting is the good kind

with alot of help from eliast yesterday, we put some movement in and air layered the top. the ring bark is on an angle coming down to the front so as to lie the tree back a little when potted on. the tree underneath has been pruned hard, 1) to start its structure, 2) to not rob the layer of the energy need to put out growth. there is no thinning on top what so ever, so that all those strong candles push hard. now all we can do is keep fingers crossed, make it or break it and see you again in spring. oh the mix in the collander is diatamite/fine composted pine bark/chopped spagnum equal parts.

Hi Antonio,

I like the way you secured the colander. I used a colander once before to plant something
in it. The colander broke down in less than a year. I do not think the plastic is the same
as the pot plastic. But I did use a kitchen one.



Regards Antonio.

viet the last thing i want is it to rattle in the wind. yes its true they do break down with in a year. oh well i hope to take only 5 months.

Alpine i couldn't wait any longer!

Ace, this one's for you, styled and layered. Yo dis shite dont stink!

anttal63 wrote:Alpine i couldn't wait any longer!

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shari hot and shiny bright Ant , got your boots on yet .Cheers

polishing them up as we speak pal. Just gotta sort some stuff, come back to you with a definate date soon.