has anyone had success air layering a weeping cherry blossom?

[jaycraig]

i want to air layer about 3 branches on this bad boy later in the season

 

[Underdog]

yes, then I killed it. I want to try again this year.

 

[jaycraig]

yes, then I killed it. I want to try again this year.

do you mind sharing your process and how it died?

 

[Underdog]

Basically I tried to get greedy. I picked the best large curvy branch (@3-4") in the tree. It had about 8 feet of branch above the layer I didn't reduce. Peeled the bark, wrapped in moss and DE then a plastic container cut to fit. The branch was horizontal and roots only developed in the bottom half of the container.

Once separated I had an 8ft tree in a Tupperware bowl. I didn't chop back the top and stuck it in a pond basket. Not secured well enough a storm blew it over damaging the roots and it declined fast.

Poor aftercare on my part.

 

[jaycraig]

Basically I tried to get greedy. I picked the best large curvy branch (@3-4") in the tree. It had about 8 feet of branch above the layer I didn't reduce. Peeled the bark, wrapped in moss and DE then a plastic container cut to fit. The branch was horizontal and roots only developed in the bottom half of the container.

Once separated I had an 8ft tree in a Tupperware bowl. I didn't chop back the top and stuck it in a pond basket. Not secured well enough a storm blew it over damaging the roots and it declined fast.

Poor aftercare on my part.

ahh so it really died from not being secured enough.

DE as in diatomaceous earth? i never heard it being used in air layers before how efficient is it compared to just spagnum moss? that’s what i normally use

 

[Underdog]

I had used live green moss gathered and oil dry to hold water.

ahh so it really died from not being secured enough.

Yup. It even made some cherries before it croaked. It was all on me.

 

[doc spring _work]

i want to air layer about 3 branches on this bad boy later in the season

Any success with your air layer?

 

[jaycraig]

Any success with your air layer?

Yes a couple branches were a success. I’m waiting for spring to see if they actually survive. That is the real test.

 

[cmsheehan]

I’m going to try air layering a big old Weeping Cherry Tree this spring, I live in Massachusetts so zone 6a - 7a ‘ish. This tree usually has full bloom by April, it’s currently March 19th. Anyone know when the best time to try air layering for this?

 

[doc spring _work]

I’m going to try air layering a big old Weeping Cherry Tree this spring, I live in Massachusetts so zone 6a - 7a ‘ish. This tree usually has full bloom by April, it’s currently March 19th. Anyone know when the best time to try air layering for this?

After full leaf push. I would also remove all the flowers from the limb your air layering to assure all the energy is going to root development but in my area I need to worry about late freezes so my exact timing would be much later then yours... Id typically try around may for my air-layers but if the cherry has hardened all the leaves and your not worried about a late freeze then you should be set

 

[cmsheehan]

After full leaf push. I would also remove all the flowers from the limb your air layering to assure all the energy is going to root development but in my area I need to worry about late freezes so my exact timing would be much later then yours... Id typically try around may for my air-layers but if the cherry has hardened all the leaves and your not worried about a late freeze then you should be set

Thanks so much! I’ll let everyone know how it goes.