Crabapple layer prep

[James W.]

I am planning some crabapple layers (next year maybe). How much prep work can I do? As in developing a trunk with taper and movement?
I have already made my selections and did a chop in early spring, like a trunk chop if it were in the ground.
Has any one else developed a bonsai on the mother tree before layering off?

 

[JoeR]

Try tying a thick wire really right above where you want the layer, as it grows and finishes the season it’ll induce swelling and taper-something crabapples don’t naturally have. I read about it in a Japanese blog once that someone here posted but I’ve since lost the link.

 

[Stan Kengai]

Now is the perfect time to put a tournequit where you want to layer. As the tree continues to swell during the growing season, the layer site will also swell around the tournequit. You can also wire. I would not trim too much at this time because you want as much vegetation as you can get to help power the layer.

 

[BrianBay9]

Prepping is great. Just remember you want a significant amount of foliage above your layer, so don't cut your future top and limbs back to nubs right before you layer.

 

[James W.]

I will try some tourniquet of some sort.

 

[Saddler]

I am planning some crabapple layers (next year maybe). How much prep work can I do? As in developing a trunk with taper and movement?
I have already made my selections and did a chop in early spring, like a trunk chop if it were in the ground.
Has any one else developed a bonsai on the mother tree before layering off?

You can do as much prep as your patience allow. I have a couple branches I’m going to eventually airlayer that I’ve been working on for 3 or so years now. It’s like growing Bonsai without all that tedious day to day stuff.