The science of air-layering

wsteinhoff said:
Tried my first air layer this evening. It's an American elm with different bark than some of the others around here. It's much thicker. I hope I did everything right. For a size reference that's a quart size bag.
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Were you successful with this air layering?
 
Pitoon said:
Were you successful with this air layering?
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The last time I checked the roots were getting tan and thick in the boons mix below the disc. I'm going to wait till the leaves begin to fall before separating. Then I will protect it in an unheated garage for the winter. I'll post pics when I separate it. This one is 2 weeks ago. Check out radialdisc a season saver from @sorce .
 

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Pitoon said:
If you ever do another air layering I would be interested in one. The bark does seem interesting.
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It was a short tree with little branching. What I layered off was most of the tree. It'd be some time for it to regrow.
 
I have a bit more time before vacation.....maybe I will think your post is funnier when I get 20 minutes out. :p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
 
Can anyone expand on care following separation? If I remove a layer in early summer can I work the roots much the next spring? Layer a piece off of it the next year? Should they be left alone for a couple of years, or maybe this is species dependent? Extra winter protection the first year? When to fertilize or place in full sun? There just isn't much guidance for this time period.
 
Hack Yeah! said:
Can anyone expand on care following separation? If I remove a layer in early summer can I work the roots much the next spring? Layer a piece off of it the next year? Should they be left alone for a couple of years, or maybe this is species dependent? Extra winter protection the first year? When to fertilize or place in full sun? There just isn't much guidance for this time period.
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I'm sure there are better qualified people to answer this but I am feeling confident in my recent airlayers to throw my 2 cents in. ( thanks Osoyoung) . Keep it in the shade after separating. Watch the leaves carefully for drooping. ( sign of leaves not getting enough water from the new roots) I kept a humidity tent ready just in case. I misted the leaves often. Even did some foliar feeding with humic acid and seaweed. May not be necessary. An important point was that I did not trim any leaves off because the auxins in the ends of the branches help with root growth. I secured the tree with four wires to prevent root damage from accidental movement. I will definitely not touch the roots this spring. Two weeks out from separation leaves are deep green and looking healthy.
 

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I treat my layers like a root job and repot. Cut back on direct sun for a week. Water twice a day. I have not tented (even in AZ). Leaves are energy so I let them grow for a good season. Would you work the roots on a tree you repotted last year? I dont. I wait for a month to fertilize. Thats how I do it. Your mileage may vary.
 
Hack Yeah! said:
Can anyone expand on care following separation? If I remove a layer in early summer can I work the roots much the next spring? Layer a piece off of it the next year? Should they be left alone for a couple of years, or maybe this is species dependent? Extra winter protection the first year? When to fertilize or place in full sun? There just isn't much guidance for this time period.
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I leave air layers for two years prior to removing the stub and treating as normal after that. However the correct answer is to judge the situation and respond accordingly. They may not be strong enough after two seasons and they may be strong enough after one season. In Bonsai one needs to develop the ability to assess the situation rather than follow a prescribed set of timelines.
 
Just got thru doing some research on Sphagnum Moss for this years propagating. I have usually used Moss from Home Depot and other box stores. But have learned a lot of it comes from Canada and is not the best quality. I have lots of twigs, etc. Learned Moss from New Zealand is much better.
After comparing online sources for the best prices, sizes, etc I found the best deals at www.joshsfrgos.com
The brand New Zealand Long Fiber Sphagnum Moss
Its packaged very well and takes up a lot less space. It comes in many different sizes also. I haven't opened a package and soaked for use yet. When I do and get to use it for air-layering this spring I will reply back my thoughts.
 
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