Incision in lower trunk during repotting to create roots?

[ChrisKussun]

Hello! I am new to bonsai and have seen air layering and ground layering but I was wondering if anyone tried either making incisions in the very lower part of the trunk to create new roots from there?

Maybe the same as air layering but on the same height/level as the 3-4 main roots right now and as you repot the tree… also cover the trunk a little higher in soil mix to ensure no air can damage it?

Hope it doesn’t sound silly and that you can understand what I am trying to say!

Kuss

 

[Paradox]

Hello! I am new to bonsai and have seen air layering and ground layering but I was wondering if anyone tried either making incisions in the very lower part of the trunk to create new roots from there?

Maybe the same as air layering but on the same height/level as the 3-4 main roots right now and as you repot the tree… also cover the trunk a little higher in soil mix to ensure no air can damage it?

Hope it doesn’t sound silly and that you can understand what I am trying to say!

Kuss

Ive tried to do this by making small cuts in the trunk. Didnt work because it wasnt a complete girdle and the cuts were essentially bridged.
Also it was a pine which doesnt do this very willingly anyway.

Might also depend on what species you are trying to do this to, but I think that if there is intact cambium around it, it will just bridge it

 

[River's Edge]

Hello! I am new to bonsai and have seen air layering and ground layering but I was wondering if anyone tried either making incisions in the very lower part of the trunk to create new roots from there?

Maybe the same as air layering but on the same height/level as the 3-4 main roots right now and as you repot the tree… also cover the trunk a little higher in soil mix to ensure no air can damage it?

Hope it doesn’t sound silly and that you can understand what I am trying to say!

Kuss

The concept is not silly. In practice a variation has been used with limited success on a variety of species. The variation I am aware of is drilling a small hole in the site desired for new root and packing it with sphagnum soaked in rooting hormone. Covering the area with soil and preventing from drying out. I am currently using this method to enhance the response from air layering a Sierra Juniper. The reason for the modified approach was my reluctance to girdle the live vein. I chose to be patient and see if the air layer would take over time without doing so. Historically Juniper are reported to do so. In this instance I wished to see if drilling the hole and using sphagnum with rooting horse would increase the chance of roots in that specific location. The pattern of roots formed should tell the story. I have used this approach with limited success on Acer Palmatums. I would expect a simple slice to heal very quickly and bridge as others have suggested.