Air layering grafted cascade falls bald cypress above previous graft to a bald (I think) cypress

[Jon Cooper]

Hello, fellow BNs. Although a new join, I'm enjoying the forums immensely.

I'd be much obliged for any speculation of success on my intent to air layer this item I just picked up, please. (And YES, there is, or should be, a photo.)

The gnarly root stock is reportedly bald cypress with a graft just above the deadwood of a Cascade Falls scion. I'd air layer it just above the first major branch on the right, encouraging new Cascade Falls branches.
-Is now in Charlotte NC too late?
-Should I keep it's 5 gallon pot in a bucket of water halfway submerged?

BTW, anyone had any success with possum haw / deciduous holly / winter berry as a bonsai?

Many thanks,
-Jon

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I've never tried air layering a bald cypress. I would make sure there are at least 2 branches below the graft with green and growing leaves to keep the trunk and roots alive while waiting for the air layer to callus and root. From my experience with other species, sometimes it takes longer than "the books or pros" suggest. Apple is supposed to take only 2 or 3 months, I had to leave an air layer on for 14 months before it finally rooted. The air layer did prove healthy, it is still alive, after being separated 4 years ago.

So open the air layer every 3 months or so, check for roots, rewound the gap if the cambium bridges the gap, wrap it back up if no roots and come back and check again 3 months later. I prefer to use sphagnum over hanging a pot of media in the tree. I get better root formation, more quickly with sphagnum, at least on apples. I have not done bald cypress.

Don't go too heavy on rooting hormone, it can cause more problems than help if too much is applied.

 

[Jon Cooper]

Many thanks, Leo. Good to know about the rooting hormone. I feel lucky.

 

[Caleb Campbell]

I tried 5 air layers on various Bald Cypress this year and they all failed. The branch is still alive one 3 of them so I intend to just damage the callus again next year, but so far it's been a bust. I would like to know if you've done it successfully. iirc I heard elsewhere that they are tough to air layer.

 

[Jon Cooper]

I tried 5 air layers on various Bald Cypress this year and they all failed. The branch is still alive one 3 of them so I intend to just damage the callus again next year, but so far it's been a bust. I would like to know if you've done it successfully. iirc I heard elsewhere that they are tough to air layer.

Alas, it did not take. Upon opening it, there was a well developed callus, however no sign of rooting above. As I still have the cascade weeping graft below, I'll stick with that and chalk it up to experience. The good news is that the stock below is vigorous above the gnarly nebari. Ureshii!