It’s a massive tree and that’s a pretty big ball of sphagnum for its size. I’m not going to disturb those roots for now. Will wait into fall to see where the roots are at and then decide. ThanksMake that ball of sphagnum bigger. Not the best time to start layers, but with the push of roots in the fall and your zone will be ok. I would leave it be, make the ball bigger, make a make shift pot if possible and remove next fall once the tree slows down. I don't think it will push enough roots to survive separated by spring, but given that liquidambar roots are very aggressive it may.
Thank you. I think it’s because the tree was extremely vigorous.Congratulations. I didn't really think it would work.
Very good to know.
Sometimes it is just the nature of the beast.Thank you. I think it’s because the tree was extremely vigorous.
I’m thinking of taking down the air-layer in the fall/winter. Southern California weather doesn’t allow roots to freeze or anything.Feel like the bag is too small to support that big trunk. Up the size as suggested if this is mine.
Yup.I’m thinking of taking down the air-layer in the fall/winter. Southern California weather doesn’t allow roots to freeze or anything.
Will do in the next repotting. I didn’t want to disturb the compact, tender, curled up roots along with all the sphagnum moss stuck in there.If it was mine, on the layer, I would splay those roots outward, cut off the bottom of the trunk just under the root plane and then screw it to a board. As it is now, that's a full soda can distance between the root plane and the bottom of the tree which will make it difficult to eventually get into a bonsai pot unless it's a very deep one.
That air layer looks good. So many roots!Update June 19th 2022: Both parent and air-layer tree are doing well. I pruned heavily and then sawed off a third of the parent tree at an angle from the top to create some sort of taper. I will take years for this to heal but I’m in no rush
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