Air Layering Question

treebeard55 · 03-17-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by constantstaticx3

When is the best time to layer? I have a zelkova that I will be attempting to layer this year and want to know. ... just after the leaves harden off, or when new growth begins to show?
Thanks, Tom

I'd say as soon as possible after the new leaves have matured (turned from light to dark green.) You want them ready to produce photsynthates to feed the tree, and the attempted air-layer, as the process proceeds. And, insofar as possible, you want your tree dealing with as few stressors at a time as is possible.

JTGJr25 · 03-17-2008, 07:25 PM

Thanks treebeard. I ended up finding the answer but it didn't say why that time was best so thanks for that.

Tom

Vic N · 03-21-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centaura

I tried an airlayer last summer on a chinese elm, but the spaghum that I kept around the site got too wet and started rotting the wood a bit. The layer did not take, and I have a bit of shari down the side of the trunk now. I would still like to try again this summer, I think I can hollow out the shari and make it interesting, but I need the air layer to succeed first. Any tips on keeping the medium kept around the layer from getting too wet? I had used spaghum moss wrapped in clear plastic, though I might not have had it tight enough were it was tied to the trunk above and below the layer.

-Centaura

I've seen several referances to using a colander or pond basket instead of any plastic. Also seems they use more of a "regular" bonsai mix than the sphagnum. This way you simply water the air layer along with the rest of your plants. Takes some of the guesswork out. Vic

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03-17-2008, 07:25 PM	#32 (permalink)
JTGJr25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 230	Thanks treebeard. I ended up finding the answer but it didn't say why that time was best so thanks for that. Tom

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