Is there anything that you can/should do when the top of an airlayer starts to go south?

[Mikecheck123]

The top of this gingko is obviously not happy. Is there anything I can do (or should have done)?



Under the covers, I see nubs of roots starting, but not much else.





Thanks for any pointers.

More info:

I actually started this as a @sorce radialayer, but encountered at least three problems with it. My bonsai mix in the container was staying too dry. The moss also didn't seem secure enough against the trunk. And worst of all, the container had become a literal hotel for earwigs, who like to eat any new growth they can find.

So I started over with the traditional approach, making a new cut just above the old one. I'm sure that didn't help.

 

[Dav4]

I'd consider moving it to a more shaded and wind protected location, as well as misting it frequently. With that being said, I'd also be expecting a not so great outcome... how long since doing the deed?

 

[Mikecheck123]

I'd consider moving it to a more shaded and wind protected location, as well as misting it frequently. With that being said, I'd also be expecting a not so great outcome... how long since doing the deed?

Good idea, thanks. It's been roughly two months from the original deed, and about one month from the revised deed.

 

[NaoTK]

Check the trunk section immediately below your air layer. It likely rotted and killed off everything above it. Its a fairly common fail mode of air layers from too much moisture or bad luck.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If it turns out to be rotten, don't hesitate to just clip it off and jam it in some dirt. Keep it there until next spring, even if it looks dead.
I've had ginkgo's root after a winter in the dirt. Don't ask me how, don't ask me why, but they seem to do it sometimes.
No guarantees, but it's a higher chance of saving it than the burn pile ;-)

 

[vedecx]

Clearly you need to make sure you take the bottom down south as well or you'll end up with a very long tree...

 

[Mikecheck123]

don't hesitate to just clip it off and jam it in some dirt.

This reminds me of a very dirty joke about the difference between jam and jelly. I'll clean it up: you can't "jelly" a gingko into some dirt.

 

[cbroad]

@Mikecheck123
For what it's worth, with all of my successful air layers, I've always noticed a color change with the foliage during the process. I've never tried gingko before though.

I think as long as the leaves stay turgid, everything is good to go.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Isn't that a lot of upper foliage to be carried by a developing air layer?
I've air layered but not with a lot of tree above the layering.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Isn't that a lot of upper foliage to be carried by a developing air layer?
I've air layered but not with a lot of tree above the layering.

I thought more was merrier. More photosynthesis for root growth.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I thought more was merrier. More photosynthesis for root growth.

Then as soon as they open the parks, I'm bagging 4 tons of sphagnum around a giant sequoia.

 

[vedecx]

You can air layer fairly large sections of trees. It will depend on the tree. Someone (think its Nick Lenz?, ) wrote that Larches in effect layer themselves when growing in peatlands. The tree may only look 3 feet tall, but those are only the top most roots. The tree's original roots are 20 feet below in the muck...

 

[cj16]

The top of this gingko is obviously not happy. Is there anything I can do (or should have done)?

View attachment 313095

Under the covers, I see nubs of roots starting, but not much else.


View attachment 313096


Thanks for any pointers.

More info:

I actually started this as a @sorce radialayer, but encountered at least three problems with it. My bonsai mix in the container was staying too dry. The moss also didn't seem secure enough against the trunk. And worst of all, the container had become a literal hotel for earwigs, who like to eat any new growth they can find.

So I started over with the traditional approach, making a new cut just above the old one. I'm sure that didn't help.

Thanks for posting this. My airlayered gingko is doing the same thing. Leaves turning yellow, callous at the site. Is the callous a detriment, or is it part of the process? I shaved it to try to stimulate root activity and reapplied moss. The trunk looks fine.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Thanks for posting this. My airlayered gingko is doing the same thing. Leaves turning yellow, callous at the site. Is the callous a detriment, or is it part of the process? I shaved it to try to stimulate root activity and reapplied moss. The trunk looks fine.

Mine was dead as a doornail.