Radialayer™ a season saver.

[sorce]

So you do use R. hormone still, even though I may get cancer from it?
and correct me if I'm wrong, the roots only grow from the top part of the girdle and the reason to make it big, is so it doesn't bridge back..

I don't use hormone.
@0soyoung reads the book with the good info on it. If I did use it I would use it as per 0so and the book with the %'s.

Yeah so it don't bridge....

But there is more to not bridging than a wide gap...

New investigations.

Sorce

 

[zelk]

Maybe a hose clamp instead of the putty? Not sure how that would work out but it’s the first thing that comes to mind

 

[sorce]

Maybe a hose clamp instead of the putty?

Hell yes! Anything that serves the purpose without antiserving the purpose!

My putty is dry! I ain't buying more!

Sorce

 

[BE.REAL]

Hell yes! Anything that serves the purpose without antiserving the purpose!



Sorce

This is by far the best thing I have read all month, possibly all year!! Bravo!!! Another great one from Sorce.

 

[Johnnyd]

Nutters,

You may have noticed I almost always jump to recommending airlayers. I don't think I will ever lose my fascination with the process. In attempts to perfect it, I have worked out some tweaks so it is time to share my method.

I don't understand haphazardly throwing long Sphagnum in plasticwrap (though I do this too), just to sort out the roots later. This Bonsai thing takes long enough as it is. This method has gotten me off to a good start on a couple plants, (pom, elm) Now that I remembered to add the support putty, and to take photos, well... Here it is on a ficus.

Photos in order. Backwards.

Materials.
Zip tie. Jewel ham container. Regular soil mix. Finely chopped Sphagnum. Plumbers putty. Broken pot chunks. 4 inch packing film. Sharp knife. Scissors. Tape.

Beleive it or not, salami containers work just as well.

Process.
I mark A/L spots with zip ties as soon as I know they will take place. For a bit of girdle too. I cut off the zip tie and use it to judge the size of the hole to cut in the Radialdisc™ (blue lid, many substitutes), and the container bottom.

Standard ringbarking. Cut deep. Strip with knife from top to bottom.
Apply Radialdisc™. See photo. Just below top cut.
Punch drainage holes in container. Apply.
Fill bottom with soil.
Top with finely chopped Sphagnum.
Add pot chunks(many better substitutes). For a bit of weight to keep Sphagnum compact.
No pic of wrapped in plastic to keep moist.

This was done last night. I will repost when the roots hit the pot side. And repot shortly after with a repost!

About three years ago I had my only failed air layer. On a nursery redbud I was keeping inside. (Go figure) I have since had nothing but success on ficus, elm, pomegranate, and a Cali Plant once.! I look forward to my first Juniper attempt this Spring. And I have my eye on a possible Hawthorn. Dying to acquire one and I blame BVF for that! In a good way!

I know there is a better way to accomplish this. Brainstorming comments welcome.

I have another elm I poured a fast setting concrete pot around. And I would use a kiddie pool as the Radialdisc ™ if I had space.

Thanks for reading. I hope this helps better your Nebari beginnings!



Sorce

This is a great idea. Trying it out on my Sharp's Pygmy with built in peek hole. Container was from Walmart (about $5.00/ top locks in place). It is grafted with too long of a trunk.

 

[JoeH]

been doing this with water bottles chopped up for a couple years. This year I found big plastic easter eggs at Dollar Tree that are in halves long ways. Dremel out a hole top and bottom, fill halves with sphagnum, fit together over the branch, packing tape around it and at the base to support it on the tree at the air layer spot. My neighbors am sure are wondering if I am going to take down my Easter decorations.

 

[JoeH]

I could call mine Egg-Layer TM.

 

[JoeH]

The Egg-Layer design retains humidity while looking attractive and festive. Here it is on a Chickasaw Plum

 

[atlarsenal]

Here's a good container for this method. More flexible and does not split when you cut it.

 

[sorce]

Here's a good container for this method. More flexible and does not split when you cut it.
View attachment 189970
View attachment 189972

Ice Cream Buckets are Bonsai and Bonsai is Ice Cream Buckets!

These are AS required as Wire IMO!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Great to Cool your Starch Water in!

Sorce

 

[atlarsenal]

First air layer of the year separated and potted up.

 

[Johnnyd]

This is a great idea. Trying it out on my Sharp's Pygmy with built in peek hole. Container was from Walmart (about $5.00/ top locks in place). It is grafted with too long of a trunk.

I checked the peek hole today. No roots, however I did notice some very small red mites. Will they feed on roots?

 

[szelelaci]

Great idea, I'll try it, thanks! Is it too late to start an airlayer in middle of June? (middle Europe) The only thing I dont't get, is what is the soil under the disc is for? Does it keep the stuff moist, or what?

 

[Johnnyd]

Great idea, I'll try it, thanks! Is it too late to start an airlayer in middle of June? (middle Europe) The only thing I dont't get, is what is the soil under the disc is for? Does it keep the stuff moist, or what?

It continues to grow over the disc edge and into the soil. Hopefully

 

[szelelaci]

I see, thanks! Is peat good too for the upper layer, or there's a difference between sphagnum and peat?

 

[Johnnyd]

I'm pretty sure sphagnum is preferably to peat.

 

[sorce]

I see, thanks! Is peat good too for the upper layer, or there's a difference between sphagnum and peat?

You guys have what Walter Pall calls Coarse Peat...different from our peat but not sure how exactly...chop the sphagnum!

Now isn't a bad time to layer.
Callous up thru to the waning moon and you should start to see roots a while after.

Sorce

 

[Johnnyd]

You guys have what Walter Pall calls Coarse Peat...different from our peat but not sure how exactly...chop the sphagnum!

Now isn't a bad time to layer.
Callous up thru to the waning moon and you should start to see roots a while after.

Sorce

Would you consider a pumice only radialdisc with a little sphagnum on top for moisture retention? ( So the top cut is covered with pumice) I'm starting to like pumice after I read the the Michael Hagedorn article " Life without Turface ". I do think it may need a second visit with the watering can to fully soak.
I know you are not a fan of over wintering sphagnum. Maybe this would allow you to scrape off the sphagnum moss if the layer needs another season.

 

[sorce]

Would you consider a pumice only radialdisc with a little sphagnum on top for moisture retention? ( So the top cut is covered with pumice) I'm starting to like pumice after I read the the Michael Hagedorn article " Life without Turface ". I do think it may need a second visit with the watering can to fully soak.
I know you are not a fan of over wintering sphagnum. Maybe this would allow you to scrape off the sphagnum moss if the layer needs another season.

Eh...I got some pumice...
Put a seedling JBP in it.
Doing exactly as well as one in DE bigsift.
And the one in DE smallsift is doing slightly better than both.
All kept soaked twice a day and fished daily.

I thought I would be an instant pumice fan...

Not so yet.

Sorce