Japanese Maple separated. Prune?

[Myrki]

Hello, I separated my Japanese maple air layer. I don’t have a photo of the roots but there was a decent amount in the bag, but the bag wasn’t not jammed full either (baggie wrapped around wound). Let’s say it had a medium amount of roots, should I do any pruning to reduce branches and leaves to make it easier on the roots? Should I just leave it be and wait until next year? There r definite clumps of branches I want to reduce but I am not positive on the after care

Thank you! This is my first air layer

 

[rockm]

Hello, I separated my Japanese maple air layer. I don’t have a photo of the roots but there was a decent amount in the bag, but the bag wasn’t not jammed full either (baggie wrapped around wound). Let’s say it had a medium amount of roots, should I do any pruning to reduce branches and leaves to make it easier on the roots? Should I just leave it be and wait until next year? There r definite clumps of branches I want to reduce but I am not positive on the after care

Thank you! This is my first air layer

I wouldn’t. The top growth above the air layer is driving root production. Removing growth would slow things down

 

[Dav4]

Keep it in dappled shade for a week or two and protect from wind. You should be good if you have enough roots.


Also, I'm a sucker for multiple trunk stylings, so I approve of this layer

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Protect the foliage, but do not remove it.

 

[Myrki]

Ok thank you all so much. I will leave it be until it’s ready (hopefully next year) for some pruning.

 

[Myrki]

Keep it in dappled shade for a week or two and protect from wind. You should be good if you have enough roots.


Also, I'm a sucker for multiple trunk stylings, so I approve of this layer

Thank you! It is literally my first ever. I have a Japanese maple shrub with many branches this size and I thought this looked like it had potential. I have another one with less roots so I’m waiting. I figure if cut back the right trunk as it’s thinner than the left one, and have that be the shorter trunk and lower apex etc

 

[xeurom]

For a newly separated tree, should/could we use some type of fertilizer to promote root growth?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

For a newly separated tree, should/could we use some type of fertilizer to promote root growth?

The best thing for root growth will be to maintain the foliage - since auxin is being produced at the apical meristems (ie the tips of the branches) signaling the tree to "grow more roots!"

Usually, when you have just transplanted a plant it is best to hold off fertilization for at least a month, in order to allow the tree to get settled into the new soil. The new young roots will be tender until they have been allowed to recover. It depends a little on the species of tree, and how much work is being done to the root mass, but in the case of air-layers I would err on the side of caution.