Pressure propagation balls..

[JesusFreak]

Has anyone used these things? I see commercials on them occasionally. I have never done an air layer successfully. Only tried one air layer on a Jm that I was told was very hard to air layer. Wondering if it was worth the 16.99 on amazon. Thoughts?

 

[AZbonsai]

Interesting. Have never seen those. I use a plastic water bottle.

 

[penumbra]

I bought a few because they are cheap but have not used them. Probably won't until late winter to early spring. They seem like any other air layer method so I don't know what high pressure is supposed to mean. I assume it is just an advertising gimmick and that they work exactly like any other air layer device. I only bought them because they were dirt cheap. And they should be as they offer nothing special. I think mine were about $10.

 

[JesusFreak]

Yea I know the pressure is just marketing. Didn’t know if anyone has used it.

 

[penumbra]

Yea I know the pressure is just marketing. Didn’t know if anyone has used it.

Not sorry I bought them and I do plan to use them.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I spoke to Clark Long who has a bonsai site. He said they work great. But alas my air layering tool was delayed by Covid. Still waiting. The order came in with it not among the shipment. Keeping it in standing so I get it when they finally get more in. That I did not order from Clark.

What size are you looking at? I know Clark has two sizes.

Propagation Cell for Air-Layering - Biogold

Medium Size (2”) 4-pack Large Size (3.5”) 4-pack

www.clarkmlong.com

 

[JesusFreak]

I spoke to Clark Long who has a bonsai site. He said they work great. But alas my air layering tool was delayed by Covid. Still waiting. The order came in with it not among the shipment. Keeping it in standing so I get it when they finally get more in. That I did not order from Clark.

What size are you looking at? I know Clark has two sizes.

Propagation Cell for Air-Layering - Biogold

Medium Size (2”) 4-pack Large Size (3.5”) 4-pack

www.clarkmlong.com

I’m guessing both sizes just in case

 

[Cadillactaste]

I’m guessing both sizes just in case

I had intended the larger to be honest. More root space to be air layered was my thought process. Go big or go home

Edit: Thinking on it. The distance one has to air layer...might need the smaller. Hmm.

 

[sorce]

Those are only a quarter at the Walmart and you get a free sticky hand toy inside! Or a tiny ninja, everyone needs a tiny ninja!

This is a better method. Sans Ninja.

Sorce

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

I usually air layer with a 4 inch pot full of sphagnum wired to the tree...have I been wrong this whole time?!?

 

[penumbra]

I usually air layer with a 4 inch pot full of sphagnum wired to the tree...have I been wrong this whole time?!?

You are not wrong if it works.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

You are not wrong if it works.

For sure - I was making a lame attempt at humor.

However, since I started air layering in pots vs wrapping the sphagnum in plastic I've had near 100% success rate. I do want to try a version of @sorce 's technique next year though. Keep meaning to try it and then forgetting.

 

[Pitoon]

A square piece of plastic, sphagnum moss, and two twist ties is all you need for air layers.

 

[leatherback]

I usually air layer with a 4 inch pot full of sphagnum wired to the tree...have I been wrong this whole time?!?

yup. You should use the 3 inch pots. That is what I am using and that works better.


Have a recently said that people are overthinking things?

 

[leatherback]

Has anyone used these things? I see commercials on them occasionally. I have never done an air layer successfully. Only tried one air layer on a Jm that I was told was very hard to air layer. Wondering if it was worth the 16.99 on amazon. Thoughts?

Beware that if these are made of hard plastic, they will have a limited diameter range that they will work on. Probably great for thin branches. Might become an issue if you go for 3 inch branches.

(But then again, the previous poster will also have an issue with those)

 

[penumbra]

For sure - I was making a lame attempt at humor.

As was I.
Whether it is a pot ( an idea I like but haven't tried) or one of the various propagation devices, its better than fumbling around with a piece of plastic. I know this old school method works fine, but seriously, for a few dollars a propagation device is easier and more efficient for those with fumble fingers. And it can be used time and again with no waste.

 

[penumbra]

Beware that if these are made of hard plastic, they will have a limited diameter range that they will work on. Probably great for thin branches. Might become an issue if you go for 3 inch branches.

(But then again, the previous poster will also have an issue with those)

All very true. They do come in 3 sizes but none will handle a large branch.

 

[RKatzin]

I'm doing an experiment at present with grodan rockwool cubes on a small airlayer. I soaked the cube and cut it halfway through. I spread it and applied it to the stem then wrapped it with cling wrap and taped the ends. I split a four inch pot up to a drain hole to drape over it. No cutting, no nicks, no rooting hormones. I just made sure it is positioned over a leaf internode. In four weeks I'm seeing white roots filling the cube. I will cut it free in about a week and drop it in a pot of pumice. I have some four inch cubes to try some bigger pieces next season. Those I'll do the regular peel and scrape, but I wanted to see if this would work on stems too small to cut the bark and scrape.

 

[leatherback]

I'm doing an experiment at present with grodan rockwool cubes on a small airlayer. I soaked the cube and cut it halfway through. I spread it and applied it to the stem then wrapped it with cling wrap and taped the ends. I split a four inch pot up to a drain hole to drape over it. No cutting, no nicks, no rooting hormones. I just made sure it is positioned over a leaf internode. In four weeks I'm seeing white roots filling the cube. I will cut it free in about a week and drop it in a pot of pumice. I have some four inch cubes to try some bigger pieces next season. Those I'll do the regular peel and scrape, but I wanted to see if this would work on stems too small to cut the bark and scrape.

cool experiment. Great outcome. Thank you.

Question now is.. How wil you ever get the rockwool out between the roots!?

 

[RKatzin]

cool experiment. Great outcome. Thank you.

Question now is.. How wil you ever get the rockwool out between the roots!?

By the time of repotting the rockwool will shake out with the rest of the pumice. Roots grow through, but there's really nothing for them to attach to. That's my theory anyway, I'll let you know how it pans out. I've grown many herbaceous plants using these, but my first attempt with woody plants.