General question about ground layering

[Rodrigo]

I started repotting one of my trident Maple clumps yesterday (I entered the tree into the 2023-2026 time capsule post so I can't post a picture until 2026). I ran out of time last night so I wrapped a towel around the roots and set it aside for today.

It had thickened up considerably because I had it in a grow bed and the tie down wire unfortunately bit in pretty bad at the base so I'd like to ground layer it to reset the nebari. My question is, how does ground layer work? I know it's the same as an air layer just... In the ground . But more specifically, an air layer you can separate a few months later when there are enough roots and just pot it up correctly in the spring. What would I do on a ground layer considering I'd need to do a full repot again to separate the new roots and can't really do that mid-summer? Do I just leave it and separate the roots next spring?

 

[DonielDoom]

As a novice, I've only observed ground layering to occur on branching that contacts or nears the ground(naturally or artificially occurring). I'm inexperienced, so take out your salt.

What I interpret your situation to be is: wanting to bury up the trunk so the soil-line is above the existing roots to encourage a new set of roots to shoot above the existing. Apologies in advance if I've glazed over part of it.

If so, this is the first I've seen of this type of action. A vertical ground layer?

Would you scar/ring the bark as you would an air layer, but then just bury it deep?

 

[19Mateo83]

I’m going to tag @SeanS , does a lot of ground layering on tridents. If anyone knows it would be him.

 

[BrianBay9]

Yes, a ground layer is done exactly like an air layer. It's just lower on the tree. Instead of wrapping the layer site with something, the ground is usually raised by using a "fence" around the area and filling it with bonsai soil. Once you've stimulated enough roots, you cut the whole trunk off.

 

[RJG2]

I started repotting one of my trident Maple clumps yesterday (I entered the tree into the 2023-2026 time capsule post so I can't post a picture until 2026). I ran out of time last night so I wrapped a towel around the roots and set it aside for today.

It had thickened up considerably because I had it in a grow bed and the tie down wire unfortunately bit in pretty bad at the base so I'd like to ground layer it to reset the nebari. My question is, how does ground layer work? I know it's the same as an air layer just... In the ground . But more specifically, an air layer you can separate a few months later when there are enough roots and just pot it up correctly in the spring. What would I do on a ground layer considering I'd need to do a full repot again to separate the new roots and can't really do that mid-summer? Do I just leave it and separate the roots next spring?

Yes, just wait until the following spring to be safe.

There are lots of options for ground layering.

Here's one I did:

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/unknown-crab.58077/post-1041940

Here's one Nao did, using concrete to promote lateral roots and prevent bridging:

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/h...-quince-and-k-hornbeam-place-your-bets.49555/

 

[DonielDoom]

While not the OP, I greatly appreciate the experience shared. Thank you folks!

 

[Rodrigo]

No worries! That's we learn, by asking questions!

Yeah that's pretty much the idea, if you want to keep the full tree (vs just wanting a specific branch to make a whole new tree) you do a ground layer. It basically resets the nebari altogether, which is useful if there are one or two main roots that are overly large, if it's a tangled mess of roots, or in my case, bad wire bites.

Would you scar/ring the bark as you would an air layer, but then just bury it deep?

That's exactly right! You do the ring of bark around the base like you do with an air layer, the you put a container around the trunk and then just fill it up with soil

 

[Rodrigo]

Yes, just wait until the following spring to be safe.

There are lots of options for ground layering.

Here's one I did:

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/unknown-crab.58077/post-1041940

Here's one Nao did, using concrete to promote lateral roots and prevent bridging:

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/h...-quince-and-k-hornbeam-place-your-bets.49555/

Thanks @RJG2! I appreciate the info and threads to follow
I guess I'll update next year when the time capsule is open lol

 

[RJG2]

Thanks @RJG2! I appreciate the info and threads to follow
I guess I'll update next year when the time capsule is open lol

No problem. Might not be a bad idea to wait for @SeanS as @19Mateo83 said - he can probably recommend hormone type/strength/etc. I don't have experience with tridents.

He should be awake in a few hours