Airlayer of a Crabapple

[kcpoole]

My last job for the day is to put al airlayer on a big crabapple i collected from mates place a few years ago
The tree is grafted and is too straight and boring so want to layer the top off

See the first pic and the progression below on how i prepared the tree.

[kcpoole]

Now for packing the pot with root striking potting medium
I am using finely chopped Spagnum moss, mixed with a handful of "Sharp Potting sand" and Akadama fines
Painted the layer area with Rooting hormone before packing.

I have split and old pot and wrapped around the tree where I want to layer, Held in place by a bit of wire, then fill it with your mix.

Once finished, water in well and then with this method of open topped pot, it must be watered every day to keep moist. If you cannot water every day then use the Wrapped in Gald wrap method of layering

monitor the layer until you see roots starting to come out the drain holes then take it off.
I will be expecting them in about 6 - 8 weeks

Ken

[Japh]

Thanks so much for such a great explaination with brilliant photos to match. I really appreciate this sort of thing! As a beginner, a great explaination is half the battle, and pictures so you know what various stages look like is superb. These kinds of posts make great "how-to" wiki articles

I'm planning to do an air-layer of a cherry plum in the next few days, so the timing it perfect too!

Quick question though, did you use any root hormone on this one, or do you expect it to strike easily even without?

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Ken,

My dad once discussed of doing something similar: layering the top off a grafted crab-apple.

I was against the idea.

In my understanding, grafting is to achieve a stronger tree. If you layered off the top portion,
then you will end up with a genetically weaker tree?

Please keep us posted Ken. I am marking this post.

Best regards.

[kcpoole]

thanks Daviet,
Yes the top will be weaker as it will not be on stormg understock, but I hope it will be healthy enough to support itself. We will see.
The base of the tree is grafted and I hope to make use of it after Thread and approach grafting some branches to it much lower.

Hi Japh. I was thinking of your planned layer when doing it so glad you saw it.
Yes I do use Rooting hormone. the Purple Gel is my stuff of choice.
I paint it on before adding my moss, and also dribble some into the mix as i fil it up

Ken

[anttal63]

NICE JOB KEN GOOD LUCK WITH IT!

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Ken,

I am just wondering if there are any developments with layering yet?

Cheers

[kcpoole]

Was going to have a look soon and see what I have under the top of the little pot
It is all still green so at least has not died

Maybe on the weekend if it is not too hot here, Supposed to be 40 or so tomorrow

Ken

[kcpoole]

I had a look at the layer and decided to take it off.
It only had roots on one side, ( the side with more shade), so decides to risk it now as it would be too hard to get the pot back on without damage to the new roots.

I have potted it up into Akadama, and have placed spagnum moss around the trunk and more rooting hormone to try and get some more roots to develop

[kcpoole]

No what to do with the old stump?

I has a huge base flare but is just a straight stick about 6 " round.
i have tried to make 1 thread graft to give at least one low branch but is taking ages

Ken

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Ken,

Congratulations I do hope it will make it. Yes, the weather is a major pain.
The weather people were saying that we are to have a sort of cold Christmas,
so we will keep finger cross.

I understand that it will shoot very easily from old woods, so in a few years the
old stump could be a very impressive little flower bonsai.

Thank you for posting it.

Regards.

[kvan64]

Hi Ken, how is yr crab apple going? Please post some updates. Thanks

[kcpoole]

Its doing real well Sorry I do not have any newer pics yet ( maybe later if I can.

The big low branch on the right, and the shoot on it has died but the left side that had the roots on it has taken off really well
I will end up removing the dead wood on the right and maybe carve it somehow But i am happy with the overall result
As for the base ?? Will have to see what I can get out of it when I repot it later in the winter

ken

[kvan64]

Ken, it's good to hear that it's doing good. You din't need that right branch anyway. Looks like you'll have a great shohin crabapple in the near future. I just love to have a big stump to work with. You could always sell the base to me anytime you don't want it anymore Cheers.
DK

[kcpoole]

Ken, it's good to hear that it's doing good. You din't need that right branch anyway. Looks like you'll have a great shohin crabapple in the near future. I just love to have a big stump to work with. You could always sell the base to me anytime you don't want it anymore Cheers.
DK

Thanks