Air Layer - Norfolk Island Pine ?

[BrianD]

Hi experts,
Not strictly bonsai, but I have a 2+ meter Norfolk Island Pine in a big pot in my yard that has taken a beating over the years with being blown over several times in violent wind storms, attacked playfully by my two puppies.
Most of the lower branching is now gone.
But the top meter or so is still OK.
Has anyone ever attempted an air layer of this species ?
It would likely be the only solution to saving this tree.

[Elias]

Hi Brian,
I 've only read of people doing an air layer on a Norfolk island pine with success, although I have not tried it myself, I would assume it would be better to do around spring time.

Elias

[BrianD]

Thanks Elias for the encouragement.
I'm thinking that I will try doing so in spring as you suggest.
- Brian

[Jan]

I picked up an ex office hire Norfolk Island Pine in a pot a couple of years back. It wasn't looking that flash and was going cheap so I had nothing to loose by trying it as bonsai. I cut off the top meter or so, back to what had been the first branch junction on the trunk and, with TLC, it shot and is thriving as a multi trunk specimin about 35cm high with a roughly 3cm thick trunk. I didn't think to try air layering the top so can't advise you there but there is every chance that it will shoot from the trunk if you chop it after you've tried the air layer - mine did.

I'm still making up my mind just where I'll go with styling - I'll do my usual and just let the idea float around a while longer until I get inspired to prune/wire into a style.

Keep us posted as to how you go,

Jan

[BrianD]

Jan, thanks for the suggestion - I will try it.
Might end up with 2 Norfolk Island Pines for my trouble.

On the matter of the air layer, any thoughts from anyone on whether to layer at a branch junction ?
or between branch junctions ?