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Air Layer and Chop
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Author:  John M [ 20 Mar 2021, 12:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Air Layer and Chop
Hi, Rivulus123: I have read through the very helpful list of posts above,
given in response to your request about air-layering, and I would just like
to add one more thing which I don't see anywhere in other posts. When you
cut off the air-layered tree just below the new roots, ready for repotting, it
is very important that the new little tree be stable in its pot, to give the roots
a chance to develop, and to achieve this stability you will almost certainly need
to tie the tree down from above by guy wires from branches to pot. I think this
applies to all but the very smallest air-layered new trees. The roots, at first,
are far too delicate to accept any kind of 'wiring-in' through the drainange holes
of the new pot, so guy wires is how you achieve vital stability.

Good luck! J.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 22 Mar 2021, 13:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Air Layer and Chop
A very wise recommendation from John. I took a air layer from a Maple last year and although I tied it well in, as I thought, it suffered partly due to not being tied in enough and knocked by my cat. It now sits in the green bin awaiting Friday's collection.
Author:  bluesky [ 29 Mar 2021, 14:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Air Layer and Chop
Keith that's tough after your hard word of layering and potting.

Rivulus, I have found that mixing in some akadama with the sphaggy moss makes it easier to unravel the roots from the moss - whenever you decide to do that.

Personally I'm not keen on planting roots with sphagnum moss still in them, because the birds here somehow seem to sense the moss (presumably grubs in the moss) and attack the soil/roots when I'm not around. I haven't ever lost a tree this way, but I have had to do a few emergency repots of rooted cuttings and seedlings. I found just be excluding the moss, the birds leave them alone.
Author:  Ben M [ 02 May 2021, 09:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Air Layer and Chop
Lots of great advice already in this thread. I might have missed it in the thread, but also think about using rooting hormone powder.

Once the layer has been separated, its aftercare is not much different to that of a collected tree - depending on condition of either at that time, but securing it to prevent movement in the pot is a definite (as already mentioned), and I wouldn't attempt to go from layering straight to a bonsai pot. A deep plastic pot or pond basket that you can attach guy wires to or stake as appropriate is best at this stage.

Rivulus123 wrote:
Will most trees air layer. what are the important aspects to perhaps increase the possibility of success.

With regards to that question, maybe my 2017 Air layer list will help, as they were my first attempts.

It might be that trees that have a natural habit of "die back" may have evolved a coping mechanism to push out new roots more readily, and so species like Willow and Birch are much more prone to layering than Pines, for example. But there are many factors involved. I think everyone would agree that Willows are easy, though. Their bark contains rooting hormone in a natural form, hence why their cuttings root just left in water.

Finally, if you're able to, I'd recommend trying as many as possible, as you're much more likely to have some successes alongside and failures, and the opportunity really only comes once a year (except with Willows!). Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
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