Lars Grimm
Chumono
Hi All,
I've done a number of successful air layers over the last couple years, but never a large ground layer and I am looking for advice. This Japanese Maple is a larger field grown material with a base approximately 5" across. There were a number of very large scars from sacrifice branches and so I decided to ground layer it this Spring after the leaves hardened. After doing the routine cambial cuts, I used a medium sized plastic put for the new container. I filled it with Boon's mix but packed sphagnum moss directly around the cut site and dressed the surface with sphagnum. In the last couple weeks I've noticed the sphagnum on top is drying out fast and discovered that small feeder roots have started to grow into it. I can't tell if the roots are circumferential but I have indirect evidence of substantial root growth.
How should I approach the next steps given the large size? For smaller air layers that have sufficiently rooted, I will separate them at any time and just provide good aftercare. For such a large specimen though I was considering waiting until late summer/early fall when we get cooler temperatures and then doing the separation.
My separation plan was to just use a saw to cut below the pot and then do my best to stabilize the tree so it doesn't fall over. I'll probably set the plastic pot and secure it in a wooden box. Next Spring I would probably open the pot up to tease out the roots and screw it onto a board to allow horizontal root growth.
Any advice from more experienced folks would be greatly appreciated.
Original picture from a few years ago showing the large sacrifice branches. I ground layered just above the large branch seen on the right.
Two pictures from today.
I've done a number of successful air layers over the last couple years, but never a large ground layer and I am looking for advice. This Japanese Maple is a larger field grown material with a base approximately 5" across. There were a number of very large scars from sacrifice branches and so I decided to ground layer it this Spring after the leaves hardened. After doing the routine cambial cuts, I used a medium sized plastic put for the new container. I filled it with Boon's mix but packed sphagnum moss directly around the cut site and dressed the surface with sphagnum. In the last couple weeks I've noticed the sphagnum on top is drying out fast and discovered that small feeder roots have started to grow into it. I can't tell if the roots are circumferential but I have indirect evidence of substantial root growth.
How should I approach the next steps given the large size? For smaller air layers that have sufficiently rooted, I will separate them at any time and just provide good aftercare. For such a large specimen though I was considering waiting until late summer/early fall when we get cooler temperatures and then doing the separation.
My separation plan was to just use a saw to cut below the pot and then do my best to stabilize the tree so it doesn't fall over. I'll probably set the plastic pot and secure it in a wooden box. Next Spring I would probably open the pot up to tease out the roots and screw it onto a board to allow horizontal root growth.
Any advice from more experienced folks would be greatly appreciated.
Original picture from a few years ago showing the large sacrifice branches. I ground layered just above the large branch seen on the right.
Two pictures from today.