To Layer, or Not to Layer

[Ray M]

I have made the fatal mistake of reading too much and not acting enough! I will be taking 2 layers off this tree this weekend. My next question is do I use a spit pot with Sphag and soil or just use a plastic bag with Sphag only?

Hi Raymond,
I hope the following may help answer some of the concerns and questions asked in this thread.

1/ When you see new buds appearing on a Chinese Elm is the best time to layer it.

DSCN0129-4.jpg

2/ When you layer make sure ALL the cambium has been removed.

DSCN0080-4.jpg

3/ Use clear plastic to encase the sphagnum moss. Then wrap it in aluminium foil.

DSCN0079-3.jpg

DSCN0234-1.jpg

4/ It is important to soak the sphagnum moss in Seasol for at least a half hour before use.

DSCN0121-4.jpg

5/ Make sure you don't skimp with the sphagnum.
6/ If you do the layer correctly you will see roots in a fairly short time. These roots appeared after 41days.

DSCN0159-4.jpg

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

I have made the fatal mistake of reading too much and not acting enough! I will be taking 2 layers off this tree this weekend. My next question is do I use a spit pot with Sphag and soil or just use a plastic bag with Sphag only?

Hi Raymond,
I hope the following may help answer some of the concerns and questions asked in this thread.

1/ When you see new buds appearing on a Chinese Elm is the best time to layer it.

DSCN0129-4.jpg

2/ When you layer make sure ALL the cambium has been removed.

DSCN0080-4.jpg

3/ Use clear plastic to encase the sphagnum moss. Then wrap it in aluminium foil.

DSCN0079-3.jpg

DSCN0234-1.jpg

4/ It is important to soak the sphagnum moss in Seasol for at least a half hour before use.

DSCN0121-4.jpg

5/ Make sure you don't skimp with the sphagnum.
6/ If you do the layer correctly you will see roots in a fairly short time. These roots appeared after 41days.

DSCN0159-4.jpg

Regards Ray

WOW!!! Thank you for that. Surely not even I can screw this up now... We'll see...
I will post photos on weekend, Thanks again Ray

[Shane Martin]

don't forget to apply the rooting hormone powder or gel!

[Ray M]

don't forget to apply the rooting hormone powder or gel!

Hi Shane,
Thanks for mentioning that. You will notice in the photo that I use two hormones. Richgro Root Strike Hardwood and Clonex Purple. Mix these two in equal parts before applying.

DSCN0224-3.jpg

DSCN0075-3.jpg

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

I've noticed in other posts that some people put wire around the top cut. Is this necessary? I have also seen a post that shows verticle cuts above the layering area that have been lifted with tile spacers to give the base a flared bottom...

[Newbie.mia]

As I understand it putting the wire around the top causes the sugars in the plant to gather at that point providing more food for the root formation and growth however I have not experimented with this technique yet. Mia


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[Ray M]

I've noticed in other posts that some people put wire around the top cut. Is this necessary? I have also seen a post that shows verticle cuts above the layering area that have been lifted with tile spacers to give the base a flared bottom...

Hi Raymond,
I use wire on certain species of trees. If I am layering a Trident maple or an ordinary Chinese Elm, for instance, I use the wire as well. If you have a look at viewtopic.php?f=104&t=14664&hilit=layering , you will see how I use wire.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

I've noticed in other posts that some people put wire around the top cut. Is this necessary? I have also seen a post that shows verticle cuts above the layering area that have been lifted with tile spacers to give the base a flared bottom...

Hi Raymond,
I use wire on certain species of trees. If I am layering a Trident maple or an ordinary Chinese Elm, for instance, I use the wire as well. If you have a look at viewtopic.php?f=104&t=14664&hilit=layering , you will see how I use wire.

Regards Ray

Thanks again Ray. Ive been to the hardware store and purchased the rooting hormone...

[Ray M]

6/ If you do the layer correctly you will see roots in a fairly short time. These roots appeared after 41days.

DSCN0159-4.jpg

Regards Ray

Hi Raymond,
I just checked in my book and realised that the roots shown in this photo only took 31days.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

6/ If you do the layer correctly you will see roots in a fairly short time. These roots appeared after 41days.

DSCN0159-4.jpg

Regards Ray

Hi Raymond,
I just checked in my book and realised that the roots shown in this photo only took 31days.

Regards Ray

Thanks Ray. I will take 2 layers from the tree. One will be below the yellow line you drew on my photo and the other will be the green line...

[Andrew Legg]

Quick question guys - any reason why a cork-bark elm would not airlayer? Should it layer as well as a smooth barked elm?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Beano]

Not sure if i should start my own topic, but I've done my Chinese elm and after 2 weeks there are lots of roots on one side only, the seem to be on top of the moss, not through it, nothing on the other side yet. I was pretty sure all the cambium was off. Now the tips of some roots are browning... Is this normal?

[Bougy Fan]

The ends of the root brown off if they are exposed to air or light. If the medium is just spag moss I would leave it another 2 weeks and have a look. You have to be careful as the new roots are very delicate. Generally speaking if a layer bridges it won't put out any roots. I would check in a fortnight and see what it looks like then.

[Ray M]

Quick question guys - any reason why a cork-bark elm would not airlayer? Should it layer as well as a smooth barked elm?

Thanks,

Andrew

Hi Andrew,
My experience with cork-bark Chinese Elms has always been very successful. Ordinary smooth bark Chinese Elms, I always add the wire as well.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Not sure if i should start my own topic, but I've done my Chinese elm and after 2 weeks there are lots of roots on one side only, the seem to be on top of the moss, not through it, nothing on the other side yet. I was pretty sure all the cambium was off. Now the tips of some roots are browning... Is this normal?

Hi Beano,
It sounds like you haven't got all the cambium off. If you have a look at the photos I posted you will see that I cover them in Aluminium foil. This will help prevent the roots from burning. Make sure you soak your sphagnum moss is Seasol for a half an hour before use. Be generous with the sphagnum.

Regards Ray