No sphagnum layer

[fredman]

I have several layers to do this year and i am NOT using sphagnum again....ever !!!
This is one i'm definitely going to try.

Last year I did this layer (pear) by putting in about a tablespoon of finely ground sphagnum around the top cut....and filled the pot with a 50/50 perlite/vermiculite mix.

I literally shook off most of the mix to get to the roots.
This is after I trimmed the roots

 

[ponderingsage]

Looks like a nice base to start off with.

 

[Maros]

I did similar decision on my layers this spring. Instead of moss I used fine pumice and/or pumice/zeolite mixes. Many of them failed to root. Many produced as little as one root only. Very low quality of roots and inconsistent results.

 

[fredman]

I did similar decision on my layers this spring. Instead of moss I used fine pumice and/or pumice/zeolite mixes. Many of them failed to root. Many produced as little as one root only. Very low quality of roots and inconsistent results.

The most important part for me is to have a constant damp medium in full contact with that top cut....to stimulate the root development.
In the video he used paper (of some sorts). A thin single layer of chopped sphagnum worked for me.
This year will be interesting as i'm going to use it again on various trees.
The medium, I think is secondary. I actually think anything we use in bonsai will work...after root growth is stimulated at that top cut.

 

[KateM]

I cut sphagnum with scissors before i soak it and mix it 50/50 with fine perlite. I find air layers root easily and it is easy to remove from roots during separation.
Not my idea, got it off the internet...

 

[Maiden69]

One thing I have seen in very few places is to use finely chopped sphagnum for the same reason, ease of removal. I have a few layers scheduled for next year and I plan on doing that with either coco coir and perlite or vermiculite and perlite. I chop the sphagnum either by grating it through a soil sifter or on a small food processor that I use just for that.