Air Layering - Airtight or Not??????

[joe123987]

I am gathering as much information as possible befor I attempt my first air layering. Everyone has their favorite technique that includes anything from open pots with normal mix to plastic wrapped moist spagnum. Many articles and videos describing the Moist Spagnum wrapped in plastic technique, indicate that the wrap should be compressed and airtight - but everthing else we do with soils and containers strives to bring air to the roots for the health of our bonsais. So my question is - should the wrap be airtight or not?

[Bougy Fan]

Depends if the air layer will be accessible. The split pots and potting mix method is only viable if you have the parent tree at home and can water it every day. If it at a site where you cannot visit spag moss and glad wrap work better. It doesn't have to be airtight as such but the plastic will create condensation and keep the spag moss wet. Good luck

[coomy20]

I have seen in a nursery that the used compost instead of spag moss and the guys told me they have excellent result, need to give it a try.

[kcpoole]

I use both methods and the Plastic wrap must be airtight to stop it drying out

You can use ANYTHING in the plastic tho. Moss, Peat, diatomite, Gravel or a mix of them all which is what I do

Ken

[bonzaidog]

Hey Joe!
I'm led to believe the plastic is actually microscopically porous allowing o2 exchange whilst trapping water. Anyway,it works and holds moisture longer compared to using the cut pot method.Handy if you are not nearby to water often. ....Dog.

[davemc]

Hi all does the time of the year alter results

[Pup]

Hi all does the time of the year alter results

Yes it depends on species, some of our natives here in WA are booming, so now would be good, but the exotics are going into dormancy( if it cools down) so that is not the best time.

I have done Chinese elms at this time of the year with sucsess.

Cheers Pup

[Ulf]

I have seen sphagnum moss wrapped in nylon pantyhose used with success. It breathes well but does need some watering. The person who showed this method to me used a very large ball of moss, larger than I have seen elsewhere, and pulled the pantyhose very tight. The result appeared to retain its water quite well.

[Bougy Fan]

I use alfoil to hold the spag moss around figs here at home - but they get watered every day. If the layer is on a tree you don't visit often I would use glad wrap