Using cocopeat for air layering

Matte91

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Hello.

Anyone tried air layering japanese maples using cocopeat? Or used something else than sphagnum moss?

Thanks in advance!
 

Shibui

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I've used normal potting mix when air layering in pots but moss is far easier to hold in place while wrapping the layer in plastic. Holding moss and wrapping plastic requires 2 hands. Trying to retain more friable material while wrapping in plastic sheet will need extra hands I think.
Peat might hold just a bit too much water and not quite enough air but should be OK for easier to root species. Sphagnum seems to have some sort of root inducing properties as roots seem to grow faster whenever I've used it - fact or imagination? I don't have any evidence, just anecdotal observations.
 

Matte91

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I've used normal potting mix when air layering in pots but moss is far easier to hold in place while wrapping the layer in plastic. Holding moss and wrapping plastic requires 2 hands. Trying to retain more friable material while wrapping in plastic sheet will need extra hands I think.
Peat might hold just a bit too much water and not quite enough air but should be OK for easier to root species. Sphagnum seems to have some sort of root inducing properties as roots seem to grow faster whenever I've used it - fact or imagination? I don't have any evidence, just anecdotal observations.
Thank you for your reply. Have you tried using normal putting mix for japanese maples?
 

TomB

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Normal potting mix works fine, though as Shibui said it’s better when using a pot rather than a plastic wrap.
 

Shibui

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As above. JM roots well in potting mix but easier to use when layering with a pot but you will need to water daily. Just wondering if the pot could be wrapped in plastic as for sphagnum layer to stop it drying? Pot layer is best on vertical or near vertical branches.
 

Tieball

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I don’t know about cocopeat that you mention, but I tried aged shredded coconut husks before. Once. Not again. Drained well but wouldn't hold moisture. Didn’t work for me. But there could have been other factors contributing to the failure....I walked away though feeling I knew the problem.
 

sorce

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It has always been available to me but I've never used it.
Always contemplate it for a component, never pulled the trigger.

With NO sphagnum I may consider it an alternative, but not before many other things.

Sorce
 
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