Air Layering Dissectum Japanese Maples

penumbra

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Greetings all. I will be starting some various air layers soon, primarily Japanese Maples. I have several as part of a non bonsai collection I have been growing for about 20 years or so. Some need pruning and I intend to attempt layering some of these. I believe I read somewhere, here or elsewhere, that dissectums are very difficult. True or false? Thank you.
 
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I believe I read somewhere, here or elsewhere, that dissectums are very difficult. True or false?

for all intents and purposes, it’s impossible

if you haven’t already, check out UBC maples forum, and the facebook group called Japanese Maples and Conifers. If anybody succeeded at this, this is where you would find that person online.

I would encourage you to try anyways, if only for fun :)
 

Shibui

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Even from seed I find the weeping JM difficult. I know a few who have weeping dissectum seedlings that have survived for quite a few years. I have one that has lasted for nearly 20 years. I know you are talking about layers, my point is that most of these do not have strong roots so they are grafted, however, some do have the capacity to survive on their own roots so it is always worth trying, especially as you are already aware it may not work so won't be too bitterly disappointed.
 

penumbra

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Thank you for your information and advice. I will try an experiment on my Lion Heart, a particularly vigorous variety of dissectum. I will make two layers on it, one a ground layer and one an air layer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Thanks again.
 

Mike Hennigan

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It is possible but it depends a lot on the cultivar. Seiryu, a green leafed cultivar, is known to air layer well. I have a large one that I will be doing a couple air layers on this spring. Also, people generally say that it is impossible to airlayer red lace leafs, but I bought a couple red laceleaf from Aldis no less a few years ago. I airlayered both, both took and have now survived two winters on their own roots. They are leafing out very vigorously right now. I have to check the cultivar. I’m not even sure if I’ll use them for bonsai since they’re quite coarse and large leaved. But it’s not impossible and I think it comes down to the specific cultivar.
 

penumbra

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It is possible but it depends a lot on the cultivar. Seiryu, a green leafed cultivar, is known to air layer well. I have a large one that I will be doing a couple air layers on this spring. Also, people generally say that it is impossible to airlayer red lace leafs, but I bought a couple red laceleaf from Aldis no less a few years ago. I airlayered both, both took and have now survived two winters on their own roots. They are leafing out very vigorously right now. I have to check the cultivar. I’m not even sure if I’ll use them for bonsai since they’re quite coarse and large leaved. But it’s not impossible and I think it comes down to the specific cultivar.
That is very encouraging. I have a Seiryu I planted just about 30 years ago. It has a few seedlings every year and last year one was true to the parent while the others are not. My mother Seiryu is now 18 feet tall and about the same in width. It is a magnificent tree overhanging my Koi pond.
 
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That is very encouraging. I have a Seiryu I planted just about 30 years ago. It has a few seedlings every year and last year one was true to the parent while the others are not. My mother Seiryu is now 18 feet tall and about the same in width. It is a magnificent tree overhanging my Koi pond.

wow!! sounds like a dream! I wish I could have a Koi pond here, but our winters are brutal! please share pictures :)

can i please ask how diverse the seiryu seedlings were? I know they aren't never fully 'true' to the cultivar, but i haven't seen much info on how radical the results can be! I assume deshojo seedlings can't turn out looking like a shishigashira, but it's unclear to me just how far from deshojo they might actually be!

Thank you
D
 

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That is very encouraging. I have a Seiryu I planted just about 30 years ago. It has a few seedlings every year and last year one was true to the parent while the others are not. My mother Seiryu is now 18 feet tall and about the same in width. It is a magnificent tree overhanging my Koi pond.

Without pictures how can we believe you ;)
 

Pitoon

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I have an air layer at the moment on a Viridis. So far no leaves have dropped.

20190420_190020.jpg
 

Pitoon

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Why should I care if you believe me or not?

IT WAS A JOKE! I'm curious to see what your pond looks like. It you want to post pics that would be cool, if not whatever then.

.....good luck with your air layering
 

penumbra

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SORRY. I am so used to dealing with asses that I made a false assumption. I am not proficient with computers and such and do not have or wish to have a smart phone. I do have a digital camera around here somewhere so I may get to it eventually. It really is a beautiful tree and I should show it.
 

Pitoon

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SORRY. I am so used to dealing with asses that I made a false assumption. I am not proficient with computers and such and do not have or wish to have a smart phone. I do have a digital camera around here somewhere so I may get to it eventually. It really is a beautiful tree and I should show it.

I completely understand about the asses being around. Just check out my avatar, I really enjoy koi. I hope to build a nice pond one day. It's just that our lot is on a hill and would be almost impossible to build one on it.
 

Shibui

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can i please ask how diverse the seiryu seedlings were? I know they aren't never fully 'true' to the cultivar, but i haven't seen much info on how radical the results can be! I assume deshojo seedlings can't turn out looking like a shishigashira, but it's unclear to me just how far from deshojo they might actually be!
I get masses of seedlings from my Seryu. They vary from plain leaf almost like standard palmatum right through to deeply dissected like Seryu and everything in between. Remember that even seedlings that have leaves as divided as the parent, other genes will be different. Genes for growth, colour, shape, frost hardy, disease resistance, etc. No seedling can be given the same name as the parent. Even though you may look like your mother or father you are NOT identical and they will have given you your own name. Give all your seedlings respect and, if you must name them, give each one an individual name.
 

MACH5

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Possible to air-layer (or grow cuttings) from a Red Dragon?


Most likely very difficult since it is a dissectum.


BTW seriyu is a notable exception. One of the very few that can be air layered since it behaves much like a regular palmatum with an upright growth habit. I have two dissectums var. viridis growing on their own roots that are quite strong from Mark Comstock. Not sure how they were propagated but my guess they're from cuttings.
 

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@MACH5 How big were they when you got them, and how big are they now (viridis)
 

MACH5

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@MACH5 How big were they when you got them, and how big are they now (viridis)


They were about 8-10" tall with very thin trunks. One is now about 4.5 feet tall growing in a pot and the other was kept small about 12" tall but also grows well. I purchased them in early spring 2016.
 

エドガー

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I started Red Dragon cuttings 22 days ago and they’re All still very red and alive... whereas the other cultivars that are known to root easily (katsura, kiyohime), about 50% browned and dropped leaves already (green stems still though).

Shishigashira cuttings All still very green after 2 weeks (this cultivar is also not supposed to root easily from cuttings).
 
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