Any tips on training radial roots on air layers?

[Paulneill]

Hi guys

I have been wondering how to treat new air layer roots . Does anyone have any tips techniques on how to transplant and position the roots nicely on newly removed air layers. before they becomes too messy ?

[Bougy Fan]

Hard to do Paul. If you fool around with new roots on an air layer you will damage them. I use spag moss and the roots become entwined severely in it. I remove any excess moss I can and then pot it up. After about 6 months and depending on the species/ time of year take it out and start sorting out the roots when they are strong. Like most things in this hobby there isn't really a short cut.

Tony

[Petra]

hi Paul,
what Tony said, there isnt a shortcut. What i do is chop the spagnum, for easy removal latter. Make a mound in the soil
where your going to plant. Once off the tree i spread the roots the best i can and sit them over the mound. After a few years
they settle & then i'll trim them back. I had tried placing a plastic bottle cut like a funnel below the ring bark to fan out the roots when they grow.Didnt really work, most of the roots went under the bottle. In theary it worked.

[Paulneill]

Thanks .

Yea Petra I was thinking of trying something like .
Making a device so the roots will grow nicely from the layer. still thinking about it .

[bodhidharma]

Yes, you have to leave the layer, after severance, for a couple of years before you do any work on them. Once they have hardened off you can sort them out and you will have to cut quite a few off (as there are way to many if it has been a success). You can then tease them out and plant the tree over a large flat plate to grow radially outwards. Overpot the tree into a large flat bottomed pot after severance and tie it in place. Then the tree will not be to tempted to grow downwards to much. Protect from wind.

[Ray M]

Hi Paul,
As has already been said the roots are very fragile. They are baby roots at this stage.

The following are a few photos of what I do to all my air layers.

DSCN0004-4.jpg

DSCN0005-4.jpg

DSCN0209-3.jpg

DSCN0210-3.jpg

Regards Ray

[shibui]

Recently saw an article where the grower screwed a piece of flat wood to the cut base of the layer. Screw up through the board into the base of the layered trunk where it was cut. This helps stabilise the new layer in the ground/pot and forces the roots to grow out over the wood - same priciple as Mackray's saucer but the 2 pieces can't move apart. After a year or 2 remove the screw and the board.
Not sure whether its worth the time, effort and materials but interesting concept. I generally do as Tony suggested. The roots are strong enough but still flexible at the next potting time to make any alterations.