Time to cut off the Air-Layer?

[dahender]

Hi All,

I started an air layer on this A.P. BonFire back in mid April. It's been 4 months and it's grown some nice roots. (The tree only gets about 2-3 hours of filtered morning sun per day) This is my first air-layer attempt so didn't want to harvest this too soon so am reaching out to you all to get your opinion.

Should I harvest this layer now, or wait a few more weeks. I'm in SF East Bay Area so could easily wait but don't want to risk the roots if they are ready.

What you you think?

Kind Regards,

Dave

 

[Poink88]

When in doubt, wait. Unless there is a valid reason to hurry.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I'd wait until the bag is pretty full of roots.

 

[0soyoung]

I think you need to give it more time, probably another month. You should see lots of roots, such as in the attached photo, before you harvest it. Maybe you have them, but I don't see them in your photos.

Be patient.

 

[Poink88]

Also, the bag seem too wet...maybe put several additional drain holes at the bottom...making sure not to damage any roots.

 

[Ris]

As this is your first air layer, leave it till next spring before buds burst.
Funny story, in spring I didn't feel like layering my maple top so I just cut of the upper 4 to 5ft and dropped it on the floor. Two days after I looked at the piece I had cut and the buds looked pretty much alive so I cut it into 2 pieces and placed rooting hormone on the base pop them into nursery pots... One made it through and is growing healthy like a well rooted tree lol.

Best regards,

 

[jkd2572]

Roots look great pot up. Well it's cut off already so hope it's potted up. I am not following is post 4 the roots? If so good job.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Roots look great pot up. Well it's cut off already so hope it's potted up. I am not following is post 4 the roots? If so good job.

No no, that's a different poster.

 

[dahender]

Thanks! Will wait

Thanks for the help everyone. This layer has no where near this many roots as Osoyoung's attachment. Waiting another month or so to harvest this one.

I think you need to give it more time, probably another month. You should see lots of roots, such as in the attached photo, before you harvest it. Maybe you have them, but I don't see them in your photos.

Be patient.

 

[jkd2572]

Oh wait until the roots look like the other posters.

 

[dahender]

Thanks Poink88, was wondering if 'green' was good or not. i've poked some drain holes to keep it healthy.

Also, the bag seem too wet...maybe put several additional drain holes at the bottom...making sure not to damage any roots.

 

[cmeg1]

I have heard plenty of root and also when they are starting to darken in color and harden off.

 

[William N. Valavanis]

A trick I use for successful air layers removal is NOT to remove the branch when roots first appear through the clear poly.

Wait.

When you see the first roots, remove the clear poly and wrap another thin layer of long-fibered sphagnum moss around the young tender fleshy roots and wrap again. Within a week or two a dense fibrous root system should develop. The first roots visible are usually coarse, quite brittle and often break, while the fresh young roots in the new layer of long-fibered sphagnum moss are easier to transplant into a training pot.

Bill

 

[Eric Group]

I think you need to give it more time, probably another month. You should see lots of roots, such as in the attached photo, before you harvest it. Maybe you have them, but I don't see them in your photos.

Be patient.

I think that one will make it! LOL