Air layer juniper…etc

[jaycraig]

Ok so I have 3 inquiries. First one is I was walking my brothers dog at a nearby bog field as I normally do, it has a lot of pine that I plan to get some yamadori from and I randomly stumbbled on this Rocky Mountain juniper that has a few fascinating branches I’d like to air layer. Picture 1 is one of them, when is the earliest and safest time to start the air layer process because there aren’t much of these around and I want it to go as smoothly as possible. should I wait till mid spring or early spring is fine?

second has any one tried the cocoa clay pebble in the second picture below? I seems to be suitable for aeration but I’ve never seen it used in the bonsai world

third has anyone also ever tried the smart pot I have in the third picture?

 

[JEads]

Welcome to the bonsai world.
The best time to air layer most species, including junipers is when the growing season has kicked into full swing. For us in PNW that is end of June.
My first impression of the clay pellets is that the particle size is too large and impenetrable to the roots. You would need to treat your trees like a hydroponic setup and water them constantly.
I use (and sell) a version of the smart pot on a majority of the trees that I grow. I think it is a superior way to ground grow, great for hydroponic growing and is good for conifers because there is wonderful air exchange.

hope this helps.

 

[jaycraig]

pe

Welcome to the bonsai world.
The best time to air layer most species, including junipers is when the growing season has kicked into full swing. For us in PNW that is end of June.
My first impression of the clay pellets is that the particle size is too large and impenetrable to the roots. You would need to treat your trees like a hydroponic setup and water them constantly.
I use (and sell) a version of the smart pot on a majority of the trees that I grow. I think it is a superior way to ground grow, great for hydroponic growing and is good for conifers because there is wonderful air exchange.

hope this helps.

you’ve helped a lot thank you! but i’m sorry where is PNW, northwest indiana? and pretty much i have the highest chance of success in late spring/ early summer?

 

[19Mateo83]

Ok so I have 3 inquiries. First one is I was walking my brothers dog at a nearby bog field as I normally do, it has a lot of pine that I plan to get some yamadori from and I randomly stumbbled on this Rocky Mountain juniper that has a few fascinating branches I’d like to air layer. Picture 1 is one of them, when is the earliest and safest time to start the air layer process because there aren’t much of these around and I want it to go as smoothly as possible. should I wait till mid spring or early spring is fine?

second has any one tried the cocoa clay pebble in the second picture below? I seems to be suitable for aeration but I’ve never seen it used in the bonsai world

third has anyone also ever tried the smart pot I have in the third picture?
View attachment 419200

That is a neat juniper. I would see if you can find who owns the property and inquire about collecting on the property before attempting to air layer it. Who knows they may say you can dig the whole thing up.

 

[JEads]

pe

you’ve helped a lot thank you! but i’m sorry where is PNW, northwest indiana? and pretty much i have the highest chance of success in late spring/ early summer?

Sorry Pacific North West. I am outside of Portland, OR. Late spring/ early summer, whatever that means for your area is best.

 

[jaycraig]

Sorry Pacific North West. I am outside of Portland, OR. Late spring/ early summer, whatever that means for your area is best.

ohh ok and what about cherry blossom and prunus mume, is it the same for those also? i plan to air layer those