Is there a way to control moisture in the sphagnum moss? I have redone my first few attempts a couple times since spring. I will check them a few weeks in and see roots starting to form. A few weeks later the moss in saturated and the roots are gone. All moisture is from rain and or humidity.
Air layering and wet moss
- Thread starter baldone
- Start date
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
What method are you using to hold the moss?
Plastic wrap tends to let rain enter through the top. Tie the top as tight as you can but I leave the lower tie a bit loose so any excess water can drain out.
Plastic wrap tends to let rain enter through the top. Tie the top as tight as you can but I leave the lower tie a bit loose so any excess water can drain out.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
I punch holes in the bag, and if it still fills with water, I’ll gently squeeze it out.
Thank you
The first time I used Gorilla tape and plastic. This time I tried what Shibui said. I used plastic and wire tried to tightened top good and leave bottom lose. I did not know is holes or slits at bottom would cause some other issue. I have tried to squeeze water out and again seemed like I might damage roots.
The first time I used Gorilla tape and plastic. This time I tried what Shibui said. I used plastic and wire tried to tightened top good and leave bottom lose. I did not know is holes or slits at bottom would cause some other issue. I have tried to squeeze water out and again seemed like I might damage roots.
shohin_branches
Omono
Where I live sphagnum tends to stay too wet causing failure. I like wiring a plastic pot with bonsai soil around the air-layer point. If you need more moisture retention then top dressing the pot with sphagnum will help, but it's easier to control the moisture in a pot over the plastic wrap.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Not a great idea. Might work in your area, might not depending on freezing.
shohin_branches
Omono
I'm in Wisconsin and we leave air layers over winter if necessary.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
I'm in Va. We usually don't if we don't have to and it can depend on species.
Betula1
Mame
We can leave air layers over winter here in UK in normal winters- but whats normal anymore? our climate has gone haywire over the past decade , but then of course global warming is just ''fake news'' 
shimbrypaku
Shohin
My method is as follows:
Split a small plastic pot on one side, half on the bottom, create holes on the cut side, maybe two or three on both sides of the cut. This will allow for small zip ties to hold it back in place.
Use 50/50 milled sphagnum moss and bonsai soil. Water the air layer when you water the tree.
Got the idea from this air layering pod, they need more holes in the bottom if I were to use them
Thanks
Split a small plastic pot on one side, half on the bottom, create holes on the cut side, maybe two or three on both sides of the cut. This will allow for small zip ties to hold it back in place.
Use 50/50 milled sphagnum moss and bonsai soil. Water the air layer when you water the tree.
Got the idea from this air layering pod, they need more holes in the bottom if I were to use them
Thanks
Last edited:
leatherback
The Treedeemer
should not be an issue normally.
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
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You still have plenty of time for the layer to be successful. I successfully STARTED layers in mid August when I lived in 7b GA, and wouldn't blink at leaving the layer on the mother tree through October as you're unlikely to get any freezing weather before then. As far as water accumulating within the moss media, I always poked a few holes down low in my plastic bag to allow excess water to drain away... never had an issue.
oranjeaap
Yamadori
I save the plastic containers when buying plants / flowers.
With some sturdy scissors or even old blunt secateurs you can cut them open on one side, cut a hole in the bottom matching the thickness of the trunk, or slightly narrower. Takes 5 seconds.
Once placed on the tree use a stapler to seal the pot, one staple near the top, one near the bottom should be enough. Takes about 2 seconds. If you cut the hole the correct diameter it should stay in place without further securing.
Fill it up with moss. I like to cover the moss with some substrate to prevent the sun from drying the moss to quickly. Five more seconds.
Done.
Stays moist 3-7 days depending on weather.
With some sturdy scissors or even old blunt secateurs you can cut them open on one side, cut a hole in the bottom matching the thickness of the trunk, or slightly narrower. Takes 5 seconds.
Once placed on the tree use a stapler to seal the pot, one staple near the top, one near the bottom should be enough. Takes about 2 seconds. If you cut the hole the correct diameter it should stay in place without further securing.
Fill it up with moss. I like to cover the moss with some substrate to prevent the sun from drying the moss to quickly. Five more seconds.
Done.
Stays moist 3-7 days depending on weather.
MalsRFun in TN
Yamadori
I changed to the snap on plastic balls this year, after having the soggy moss problem last year. It totally solved the problem, because they are vented. The larger balls have side vents too. The balls are cheap. Almost all my stuff that failed last year rooted this year, using moss/perlite, and I could see the roots through the clear side of the balls.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
These have worked well for me as well. They are cheap and reusable and come in several sizes. You can also buy them in translucent plastic as shown in the post I am referencing, or opaque black or green. I think they might have them in white as well.
ForeverRaynning
Mame
This may explain why I haven’t been seeing roots on mine 
I poked holes in the bottom of the bags the other week but that may not be enough. We do have a lot of sun this week though. That reminds me I need to go check on them in case they’ve dried out! Haven’t dared open them yet to have a peek.
I poked holes in the bottom of the bags the other week but that may not be enough. We do have a lot of sun this week though. That reminds me I need to go check on them in case they’ve dried out! Haven’t dared open them yet to have a peek.
Sorry, but I don't understand what you are trying to do with the moss. Arte you air layering, trying to grow moss for top dressing...?
