AusBonsai

A friend of mine had this one for many years. He tried to airlayer it and failed. The part above the cut that healed now swell up to a point of no going back. He passed it on to me and I have no choice but will try once more time.
If successful, I'll have two nice trees. If not, I'll work on the lower half. The tree is JBP that stands just above 2m tall and I have little hope it will take roots on the very old woods. I will be trying Ray Mackaway's method I found from Bonsaisouth but any help/suggestion is greatly appreciated. I am looking forwards to tips about the right time to start work and also what to do in meantime to prepare the tree for that.
DK

kvan64 wrote:I will be trying Ray Mackaway's method I found from Bonsaisouth but any help/suggestion is greatly appreciated. I am looking forwards to tips about the right time to start work and also what to do in meantime to prepare the tree for that.
DK

Hi kvan64,
Leave the tree until October before doing the layer. I would feed the tree well a couple of months before layering. In the photo you will see a red line. This is where I would do the new layer.
Regards Ray

Thanks Ray, I will do that.
Just some more information: I inspected the ring/scar below the swelling and to my surprise, I found that there is no live tissue or callus to connect the top and the bottom parts above and below the ring. It's just dried wood. I guess the xylem tissue is still alive inside so water and minerals still be able to transport from roots to support the top part of the tree. I just rang my friend and he confirmed that he has taken the layering medium off nearly 3 years ago and I am so amazed that the top part is still alive and seems to be continue to develop. I guess it can still wait till it warms up then.

kvan64 wrote:Thanks Ray, I will do that.
Just some more information: I inspected the ring/scar below the swelling and to my surprise, I found that there is no live tissue or callus to connect the top and the bottom parts above and below the ring. It's just dried wood. I guess the xylem tissue is still alive inside so water and minerals still be able to transport from roots to support the top part of the tree. I believe you are right and that's how it's staying alive. I just rang my friend and he confirmed that he has taken the layering medium off nearly 3 years ago and I am so amazed that the top part is still alive and seems to be continue to develop. I guess it can still wait till it warms up then.

Hi kvan64,
When people talk about layering there are usually only three parts of the layer described. The Bark, Cambium and Hard wood. This is a very simple explanation of what layers are actually there. There is actually, the Bark, Phloem, Cambium, Xylem and Heartwood.

Regards Ray

Ray another way the japanese layer pines...Maybe you will want to try it one day, since you like trying all kinds of layers..

Hi Neli,
Not sure if the method you mentioned for Ray would work on old woods.

Hi Neli,
Not sure if the method you mentioned for Ray would work on old woods.

I am not sure also...but he can try on another tree. Just sharing info. He likes trying all kinds of layers...experimenting...so just an idea.

Neli wrote:Ray another way the japanese layer pines...Maybe you will want to try it one day, since you like trying all kinds of layers..

Thanks Neli.

Regards Ray

kvan64 wrote:Hi Neli,
Not sure if the method you mentioned for Ray would work on old woods.

Hi kvan64 and Neli,
A member of another forum I belong to used my new method on older wood and it worked very well.

Regards Ray

Yep sure did and mother and baby are both doing very well. A matter of timing, good preparation and patience
Cheers Rod

Well...I tried everything...still it does not take roots when my other younger airlayers took within 8 weeks.
Now ... a tree on top of another tree!