AusBonsai

Hi guys and gals ,this is my first attempt at a layer on a pine . It was a simple ring bark method as per deciduous trees .The pot was slit down the side , placed over the trunk and duct taped together . A thin layer of spagnum moss was placed in the bottom , as the pot had plenty of drain holes . This would prevent the potting mix from washing out the bottom .

Yates plant cutting powder {hormone powder} was painted onto and around the ring bark and under the flaps that i created . No item was placed under the flap , just a dollop of hormone powder made into a paste .This was then filled with free draining potting mix as used in the original container the pine was grown in , i did however add some 6mm rough river quarts to aid drainage .

This was then watered with a 1/2 strength Seasol power feed solution {green bottle}After placement and watered daily as rough as i do with a garden hose . The Layer was placed on the 12 / 12 /09 and positioned under a shade sail , it received only 2 hours of full midday sun over Summer .Bloody good result .Cheers

Well done Alpine, great achievement for your first time. i did one in autumn last year, grew over, then i re did it in spring, checked it in Dec, nothing, trimmed it up a bit for it had gone nuts on top, put in the shade couple hours morning sun, low and behold 4weeks later i got roots. they are now hardened off and it think i can cut it off now although something tells me to wait till spring. we shall see.

So impressed with the result i decided to apply multi layers to the original tree using the apex and the side branches .I hope to layer off 2 single trunks a twin trunk and a tripple trunk.Cheers and happy bonsai.Alpine

Great work and on a section of pine with juvenile bark like this that is what I would expect.
If the section is older and has mature bark I believe they will take longer to root

Ken

alpine

good work but i am trying to figure out what you plan to do with the layers? or was it just for practice

good stuff

jamie

kcpoole wrote:Great work and on a section of pine with juvenile bark like this that is what I would expect.
If the section is older and has mature bark I believe they will take longer to root

Ken

Hi Ken no sign of roots on the big old mother i'm playing with , so yes the younger growth works much quicker .Cheers

Jamie wrote:alpine

good work but i am trying to figure out what you plan to do with the layers? or was it just for practice

good stuff

jamie

Bonsai them ,what else . Maybe grow on and layer more, then hack and chop them down ,twist and bend them and they will become trainers.The original trunk could be chopped back and wired but rather than waste the top growth i may as well layer them off for trainers then work on the original tree . this way i will have a differing variety of single and multi trunks that i have not seen for sale .Need stock grow your own or propergate ,layer , graft . Cheers

cheers mate i have been sticking everything i cut off into diatomite filled boxes pots or anything i can find really, place look full with all these cuttings around if i dont bonsai them i will pass them on for sales or mates etc.

the best thing about air layers is the amazing nebari it achieves and the shallow root system now just grow grow grow
nice work

anttal63 wrote:Well done Alpine, great achievement for your first time. i did one in autumn last year, grew over, then i re did it in spring, checked it in Dec, nothing, trimmed it up a bit for it had gone nuts on top, put in the shade couple hours morning sun, low and behold 4weeks later i got roots. they are now hardened off and it think i can cut it off now although something tells me to wait till spring. we shall see.

Hi Antonio , good to know it may heal over , i will keep an eye on them to make sure they dont .Cheers

dayne wrote:the best thing about air layers is the amazing nebari it achieves and the shallow root system now just grow grow grow
nice work

Hi Dayne i was surprised to see the roots growing out the bottom , on opening the pot i was astounded .Why didn't i try this on pines earlier. Next test is to do a Atlas Cedar and a Pinus Nigra .Cheers

Layering of the Mother plant is complete , the layer were removed an potted into larger pots , a In-arch Graft was also set on the lower section of the mother plant using the original apex that was layered off earlier this was severed and wired .The mother and all her offspring Cheers Alpineart

Good work, the more you put into bonsai the more you get out of it

Hi Ozzy , your not wrong there , sometimes i put too much effort in but lifes a learning experience .So long as i make progress in the right direction then its all good after all i'm only Human .Cheers Alpine

I think you should have done...... No I don't, who am I kidding - I don't even have a pine of any species.

Mate, that's a great outcome.

I enjoy viewing your topics Alpine, they're all very interesting with a lot of useful information and tips. Also enjoy reading about the progression of your trees - like this one.

Good job Alpine. Keep posting them mate.