HELP!! needed on a acer air layer

[Dario]

Yes I agree with shibui after looking at the photos again - most likely not deep enough. I would ignore the roots that are there and re cut higher up in a straight line making it wider and deeper. You want a nice straight line for the roots to all come out at one level to eventually become nebari.

Not sure about your weather down there - I imagine it could wait until the tree comes out of dormancy

Hi Matty, sorry you had to work late on a Friday mate
I like Bougy Fan's advice and it will give you a chance to practice redoing the layer
Interesting that the roots that are there came a little below the cut..I have only seen them at the actual cut.

I wodu never do a Bot method layer if the tree is not in a position that will get constant attention and watering. I fit dries out once then it will die so for trees in the garden or otherwise suspect to lack of attention, then I use Sealed plastic wrap method.
Ken

Hi Ken sorry, what is a "Bot method layer"?
Not disagreeing with you at all, but I set a layer in the field in early Autumn that I can't monitor regularly with plenty of small water crystals throughout the mix and also on the suface above the spagnum. It is a cork oak and I will get it later this growing season.
I will also set a few more this spring using this method. Pretty sure it will work and I got the idea from Europe where they have had success with it.
Best of luck Matty! Let us know what you do and how it turns out please
Cheers, Dario.

[kcpoole]

Hi Ken sorry, what is a "Bot method layer"?
Not disagreeing with you at all, but I set a layer in the field in early Autumn that I can't monitor regularly with plenty of small water crystals throughout the mix and also on the suface above the spagnum. It is a cork oak and I will get it later this growing season.
I will also set a few more this spring using this method. Pretty sure it will work and I got the idea from Europe where they have had success with it.
Best of luck Matty! Let us know what you do and how it turns out please
Cheers, Dario.

I meant Pot Method
Split pot wrapped around the tree but open to the environment.
Maybe worth a try to put the water crystals in and maybe OK, but i would not do so when I know the Spag and branch wrapped in plastic work so well.
I Have left them on for 3-4 months with never a look at them and they worked fine.

Ken

[Bougy Fan]

Yes I agree with Ken - if the layer is not in your garden use the wrapped spag moss method. I only do layers on trees at home so I use the split pot method and water every day. I will have to try Ken's Bot method and see how well that works

[Dario]

Hi Ken, thanks for explaining the Bot method
I also use spagnum moss, but have only added the small water crystals out in the field. Even if the spagnum hasn't dried out at all after a few months, I figure that the water crystals can't hurt.
And as you said earlier, it only has to dry out thoroughly one time in order to damage the fine roots.
The water crystals are more of a preventitive measure to make sure that the layer won't dry out. The outside of the pot is also wrapped up in plastic too.
Each to there own etc, and If it 'aint broke, don't fix it. But in this situation it makes sense to me.
Cheers, Dario