turning shoots to roots..

[barrosinc]

Have you heard that it can be done with Ficuses?

 

[benw3790]

I cannot speak from experience with this in deciduous trees but I can tell you it is possible with a lot of shrubs that throw suckers anyways. I had a Cotoneaster that would do as you describe. When the shoots are still supple if you can get them into the ground without breaking them AND secure they will grow covered in peat or whatever as an air layer or root layer will. Yes they will continue under the substrate and pop up again as a sucker but those types of plants require you to cut away suckers anyways. Experiment with one ore two either way. After a year uncover them and see if they harden off where exposed perhaps? I suspect it varies greatly but a harmless experiment at best! If they stay alive buried they grow fibrous root as most horizontal roots do like aerial roots... Cotoneaster is one but I am certain many shrubs would work as well.

Grimmy

Thanks Grimmy. Thats exactly what im doing, an experiment! The shoots are basically suckers from the very bottom of the trunk and are growing in the exact spaces and places where roots are needed. I am just going to scratch off a little of the Cambium on the underside of the branches and then bury them. After a year or so, ill cut off the shoot at soil level and see If it took as a root. thank you for your input!

 

[Random Usr]

I'd like to see the 'ground layered' side one season after the foliage is removed. Interesting experiment.

Me too! But I want to see some serious bulging at the exit point of the thread before I do that.

 

[Random Usr]

..... I bet that Nebari's ground layered shoot/root side will die..

Are you trying to put ”the jinx” on me?