Casuarina layer

Discussions about propagating from cuttings, seeds, air layers etc. Going on a dig (Yamadori) or thinking of importing? Discuss how, when and where here.
Paulneill
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by Paulneill »

Matta I get what you are saying about not covering the layer and letting light hit the clear plastic but I think it's a bad idea as roots could shy away from the edges making it harder to determine when the layer is ready to remove . I use old rags or a cut up t shirt to make a skirt that's stops sunlight hitting the layer and it's just a matter of lifting it up and having a look .

How wide did u make the ring bark on this one .
I have a few massive airlayers I started this spring one is a 6 inch diameter casurina that will be a finished trunk if it takes
Fingers crossed
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by MattA »

Paul,
I repeat "sunlight has no effect on roots" it will not make the roots shy away from the edge or anything else. It also has no beneficial effect either so what the layer is covered with makes no difference, as long as direct air exposure is prevented, this will kill the root ends...

The ring cut was approx 3" wide, removing bark & cambium, next one I will cut into the heartwood...
Last edited by MattA on October 20th, 2012, 1:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by MattA »

The main reason for setting a layer on this tree was my plans to shorten it with the view to getting some movement into the trunkline, so after studying the stump I have decided to regrow it from the 2 low branches & layer on an angle so I can utilise the topmost branch for the leader.
layer2a.jpg
The ringbarked area has been enlarged & a deeper channel cut to prevent the tree healing over like the first one did.
layer2b.jpg
A good smear of honey on the cut & bagged up ready to go.
layer2c.jpg
Hopefully with the warmer weather it should rocket. :fc:
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by MattA »

Cut a month ago its starting to get going...
caslayer.jpg
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by MattA »

Just a quick update, this tree shot away well & was even showing root at the drainage holes :tu: I noticed the tell tale signs of a local borer that likes to eat out the cambium, dealt with it & thought all would be fine but alas not, they had already manged to get right in under the bark, by the time I realised I still had them it was too late. Till next time... I have a couple more garden trees due for an annual prune :whistle:
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by bodhidharma »

A bit cryptic Matt. I take it that the layer was successful and then after severing it and potting it, it got borer :?: . I am interested on the layering as i plan to do my Toralosa this year.
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by MattA »

bodhidharma wrote:A bit cryptic Matt. Apologies I take it that the layer was successful yesand then after severing it and potting it, it got borernot immediately, growth was well underway & roots had started to fill the pot :?: . I am interested on the layering as i plan to do my Toralosa this year.I have not tried layering a torulosa
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by bodhidharma »

:tu2: Thanks Matt.
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by Dario »

Hi Matt, I enjoyed this thread. Sorry to hear that you got the borer and it resulted in losing the layer :no:
I wish you better luck with the next ones you do.
Hi bodhi, I am also doing a layer on a torulosa later this year. Mine is younger than yours I am sure. I am 100% confident that they will layer fine...although not the same as a layer, I removed patches of bark from the trunk and covered as per a layer and roots developed...it was a test run for the layer. Good luck and I will post my results.
Cheers, Dario.
PS I have trialed a few different layer mothods from Flybri's "skirt technique to ring barking with wire etc, etc. Wether I use a pot or clear plastic around the layer, I now cover the area with a black plastic bag (obviously leaving drainage holes). I do this to increase the heat to the roots.
This year I am going to try rubbing an alcohol swap on the exposed sap wood and also lightly burning the sap wood with a flame to see if killing the surface cells makes a difference in halting the bridging of callous tissue in species that can be harder to layer such as trident and oak...just something to try I guess.
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by MattA »

Dario, It is an ongoing battle with this particular pest & its drawn to recent cuts on natives, tho I have also seen it attack trees with no pruning or other breaks to the bark. Look forward to seeing your torulosa layer when the time comes, the bridge or sliver method is really good for testing the rooting potential of a new species as well as using on those difficult to generate new roots on or where it is not recomended to do a ringbarking. :tu2:
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Re: Casuarina layer

Post by Dario »

Cheers Matt thanks for the sliver layer suggestion. I had actually forgotten about that technique and I will have to try it.
I love that you are always expeimenting with native species and looking for solutions in creative ways to overcome any problems that you encounter :tu2:
Hey Matt, I recently found a rather large (slightly smaller than the bogong moth)... spelling?...moth that was of a grey/blackish and white speckled colouring. Currently I can't seem to find a pic of it but I will search again. I did however see a pic of one online recently and it is known for laying eggs that develop into borer bugs that target natives. I found this moth on one of my casuarinas...I have never seen it before in my area.
Are you farmiliar with what I am describing and is it the same species you are refering to? If not, do you know the species of borer that caused your cas to die?
Cheers, Dario.
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