Japanese maple airlayer

[cottie]

Here is my first attempt at air layering, it was set in December last year but hasn't had enough roots to be removed until now.

[alpineart]

Hi cottie , mate there is possibly not enough roots on the layer to sustain the foliage . I would remove 3/4 of the foliage or 2 of the 3 main branches shaping the trunk for the future , this will lessen the burden and balance foliage with roots

.Too much foliage and not enough roots will certainly result in a dead layer , also the roots are best left undisturbed when potting up layers as the new roots are very soft/fragile and many are broken off to the detriment of the tree. Good luck with the project .

Cheers Alpineart

[cottie]

Thanks Alpineart the picture was taken straight after I removed the layer, I have since removed some of the foliage and potted it without disturbing the roots.

[cottie]

Should I reduce the foliage further?

[fredman]

That looks about right to me. All you can do now is keep it in a constant warmish place and hope for the best. My thought are with you mate...

[shibui]

I agree. Should be ok. I am often surprised at how few roots a layer can survive on. The leaves will now be feeding the roots and new roots growing like mad to catch up. If a few leaves burn a bit don't worry, should still be ok, just the tree balancing things out a bit more.

[Bonsaiforest]

Jealous already...Great looking stock. Really hoping it will pull though for you. You've now inspired me to attack a few maples in my mothers yard. Just hope that it's not too late to start a layer.

[Webos]

Today I spied a nice branch on a maple and wondered whether or not I've missed the window. What to we think... Still time to apply a layer on a maple?

Adam

[shibui]

Still ok to layer Webos.
The only question is should you?
Especially after this thread viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20911

Note that most layered material I have seen does not yield really good bonsai. The material may look good on the tree but does not look anywhere near as good in the pot

[Webos]

Thanks Shibui, I think I'll give it a go. It's on a big mature tree. Nice little broom starter.

That post came about after returning from 5 weeks away in Japan. Returned to find my collection growing like a jungle and imagined what it would be like to be forever playing catchup.