Sango Kaku Thoughts?

[leatherback]

How long should I keep the bags on?

till the leaves don't wilt when you take it off

 

[leatherback]

Before separating the air layer, you should have done your research beforehand verse scrambling after the fact. Not to mean this in a negative way, but knowledge is power.

Looks to me the research was done, yet learned the hard way: reality and experience are different beasts than books, websites and youtube?

 

[Pitoon]

Looks to me the research was done, yet learned the hard way: reality and experience are different beasts than books, websites and youtube?

True....sometimes they don't line up

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Would you recommend reducing foliage?

There is some misinformation floating around on the Internet that suggests reducing foliage in these cases is a good thing. It's not. I think it may have started by people separating air-layers, not protecting the foliage mass, watching as it dries (because the young roots can't provide enough water) and then thinking - well if the roots can't provide enough water, perhaps I will just speed things along and defoliate. You are taking an already stressed tree and stressing it further because now the tree will have to push new foliage growth solely from stored energy in the air-layered trunk (since you have removed all the foliage and it can't photosynthesize, and there are no roots present). Defoliation is already a stressful process in a healthy tree - don't use it with a weak tree.

Far better to protect the foliage mass (via keeping it out of direct sun, and using a humidity tent) until the roots fill in to match the amount of foliage present.

 

[Kodama]

Looks to me the research was done, yet learned the hard way: reality and experience are different beasts than books, websites and youtube?

Very much Indeed! Which makes me appreciate even more all of you that have been doing this for years!
I can see it is a lifetime of learning and pursuit of excellence...but also very addicting...lol

 

[Kodama]

There is some misinformation floating around on the Internet that suggests reducing foliage in these cases is a good thing. It's not. I think it may have started by people separating air-layers, not protecting the foliage mass, watching as it dries (because the young roots can't provide enough water) and then thinking - well if the roots can't provide enough water, perhaps I will just speed things along and defoliate. You are taking an already stressed tree and stressing it further because now the tree will have to push new foliage growth solely from stored energy in the air-layered trunk (since you have removed all the foliage and it can't photosynthesize, and there are no roots present). Defoliation is already a stressful process in a healthy tree - don't use it with a weak tree.

Far better to protect the foliage mass (via keeping it out of direct sun, and using a humidity tent) until the roots fill in to match the amount of foliage present.

This is all very insightful. Makes complete sense. Thank you for sharing!
YES! ALOT of mixed info out there which is why I am glad to consult this forum.