First Air Layer Attempt

[bobbywett]

Hello Everyone,

I’m getting ready to attempt my first ever air layer on some ugly nursery stock I picked up a couple years ago. Initially I hoped to style it as literati, but the graft is just too ugly and now I believe it will be a great candidate for an air graft. I was planning on air layering her where the blue lines are in the one image.

I have a few questions:

. When would be the best time to start? The buds are swelling right now, but have yet to break. Should I wait a bit longer?

. Should I purchase one of the air laying kits, or is there another method that would work better?

. Is there a special rooting hormone I should apply?

https://etsy.me/2RSsMnM

. Is there a special cutting tool that I could purchase, or should I just use a box cutter? How should I sanitize my grafting tools?

. Should the tree be treated any differently after grafting ie ... kept in shade, out of the harsh wind, fertilized less or more?

. How many months does it typically take to grow sufficient roots for repotting and what soil should I repot in?

. I live in Hershey, PA my zone is 6B for reference


Thanks for any help,

Bobby

 

[Rivian]

When would be the best time to start? The buds are swelling right now, but have yet to break. Should I wait a bit longer?

May

Should I purchase one of the air laying kits

No it works great with free/ household material

Is there a special cutting tool that I could purchase

No, just use a sturdy, sharp knife

How should I sanitize my grafting tools?

You can use ethanol but it works often even without sanitising to that extent

Should the tree be treated any differently after grafting ie ... kept in shade, out of the harsh wind, fertilized less or more?

Nah

How many months does it typically take to grow sufficient roots for repotting

1-3

what soil should I repot in?

Free draining, I killed an airlayer by not doing so last year


Dont separate too early. Straight palmatum layers well though.
Good luck

 

[SeanS]

I did my first air layers this season (southern hemisphere so we’re still in the growing season, approaching fall now). I was 100% successful with 8 layers in Japanese maples. Started them just as the spring foliage hardened off, and a few more in early summer. They all took between 8-9 weeks before separation.

Here’s my thread

 

[leatherback]

Don't overthink it.

Aim: Remove the bark, and the cambium layer, do NOT go deep into the wood
Cover the bark above the cut with a medium that holds moisture & air
Keep the substrate moist
Wait.

No need to keep it sterile.

After removing the bark, it helps to keep the cut area open to the air for an hour or so, this way you will kill of anny last cambium cells and reduce the bridging over risks

Bonsai layering - Step by step explanation - Growing Bonsai

Air layering is a god technique to improve the nebari or to propagate plants. A step by step manual.

www.growingbonsai.net

 

[SeanS]

One thing I will definitely be doing with future layers on maples is applying a wire tourniquet butted right up against the top cut. I saw @SantaFeBonsai had amazing results with a flaring buttress on one of his layers in a thread of his, hopefully he can post a photo here

 

[bobbywett]

I did my first air layers this season (southern hemisphere so we’re still in the growing season, approaching fall now). I was 100% successful with 8 layers in Japanese maples. Started them just as the spring foliage hardened off, and a few more in early summer. They all took between 8-9 weeks before separation.

Here’s my thread

Thank You

 

[bobbywett]

Don't overthink it.

Aim: Remove the bark, and the cambium layer, do NOT go deep into the wood
Cover the bark above the cut with a medium that holds moisture & air
Keep the substrate moist
Wait.

No need to keep it sterile.

After removing the bark, it helps to keep the cut area open to the air for an hour or so, this way you will kill of anny last cambium cells and reduce the bridging over risks

Bonsai layering - Step by step explanation - Growing Bonsai

Air layering is a god technique to improve the nebari or to propagate plants. A step by step manual.

www.growingbonsai.net

Thanks for the link!

 

[SeanS]

Some of my layers from this season, all from 3 mother trees. It’s easier than it may seem, just do the basics and it should work

 

[SantaFeBonsai]

 

[bobbywett]

Would this kit make it easier to attempt my 1st air layer, or should I just use clear plastic sheeting, sphagnum, and wire ties? what about rooting hormone for Japanese maples, should I use it or forgo?

There’s so much conflicting info out there.

Amazon.com : Air-layering Propagation Kit - AirPropagator Small (2") & Medium (4") : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Air-layering Propagation Kit - AirPropagator Small (2") & Medium (4") : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

 

[BonsaiGnome]

Would this kit make it easier to attempt my 1st air layer, or should I just use clear plastic sheeting, sphagnum, and wire ties? what about rooting hormone for Japanese maples, should I use it or forgo?

There’s so much conflicting info out there.

Amazon.com : Air-layering Propagation Kit - AirPropagator Small (2") & Medium (4") : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Air-layering Propagation Kit - AirPropagator Small (2") & Medium (4") : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

Keep it simple.
Follow the basic steps and you should have success.
Go for it, you got this!

 

[leatherback]

There really is little reason for concern.

Main problem is not removing the bark completely, leading to the wound healing over. Some people therefor go overboard, and beaver the cut area. No need. If you take a sharp knife and cut into the bark of japanese maple, you will hit the wood with a little force. Remove the bark. Scratch with the knife down from the top cut to reove the juicy cells that sit between the bark and the wood. Let it dry for half an hour or so. Then cover with moist NOT WET substrate. Leave it alone, except for ensuring the substrate does not dry. Let the top of the tree grow as much as it wants. After 6 weeks normal green AP should have the first roots.

 

[bobbywett]

Keep it simple.
Follow the basic steps and you should have success.
Go for it, you got this!

Thank you! I suppose that’s the best way to learn ... dive in.

 

[Ohmy222]

Viridis is a dissectum type (weeping type) maple. You can still layer them but generally take longer and many are weak on their roots. I have no experience with this cultivar but just letting you know.

 

[bobbywett]

Viridis is a dissectum type (weeping type) maple. You can still layer them but generally take longer and many are weak on their roots. I have no experience with this cultivar but just letting you know.

Thanks for the heads up