Should I tweak this air layer?

[Ninecloud]

Started this particular one end of march. The selection of the spot includes some of the root stock/graft site. Scion is doing fine, root stock is taking a bit. Should I carve in, Dremel, reapply hormone? Just let it sit? For this one longer I leave it, it seems to get sadder...

 

[Shibui]

My guess is that there's nothing coming down from above to make roots on the stock side. There's just a big scar and part healed graft union above the layer so nothing to feed the roots.
Just leave it alone now. You'll get roots on the graft side and they will be enough to keep the layer alive after you separate. Get it growing strong first then work out how to rectify roots when it is growing well next year or the one after.

 

[Lorax7]

What’s your prior experience with doing air layers in your local climate? I know from reading forum posts that a lot of folks in warm climates are able to complete layers fairly quickly (depending on the species). However, it’s not like that everywhere. Here in Michigan, it takes the whole growing season to do an air layer most times, in my experience.

 

[Ninecloud]

What’s your prior experience with doing air layers in your local climate? I know from reading forum posts that a lot of folks in warm climates are able to complete layers fairly quickly (depending on the species). However, it’s not like that everywhere. Here in Michigan, it takes the whole growing season to do an air layer most times, in my experience.

My experience has been on the good side. I usually get a full 360 radial flare by now which is why I am a bit worried. This is the first time it wasn't such a clean site. I am about 9 layers out of 12 successful and this is with Clonex, however ive lost some to winter and aftercare. My challenges are more with using a branch or tree with vigor. Standard Acer Palmatum have been been pretty successful so far in just 2-3 months give or take, and my fastest is 50 days with vesuvius plum.

 

[Ninecloud]

My guess is that there's nothing coming down from above to make roots on the stock side. There's just a big scar and part healed graft union above the layer so nothing to feed the roots.
Just leave it alone now. You'll get roots on the graft side and they will be enough to keep the layer alive after you separate. Get it growing strong first then work out how to rectify roots when it is growing well next year or the one after.

cool, i'll leave it. Thank you for your input

 

[leatherback]

I am confuised by your attempt..:

- Why did you not layer ABOVE the graft? The graftsite will be hit or miss if the union is not perfect
- The moss seems affully low. It is important to keep the bark above the cut area moist

 

[Ninecloud]

I am confuised by your attempt..:

- Why did you not layer ABOVE the graft? The graftsite will be hit or miss if the union is not perfect
- The moss seems affully low. It is important to keep the bark above the cut area moist

honestly thinking about it now, it was not a good idea. My reasoning was not very sound. I did it there because it was thicker, it was easier to layer with a screen, and I was trying to keep interest at a low level by having branching low at a certain angle for shohin. Also, in the case the cultivar roots were not strong enough, id hoped the AP would take it the rest of the way. The moss is a little bit higher, but was uncovered to see the root site.