To Layer, or Not to Layer

[Ray M]

Hi Raymond,
It's good to see green on the trunk. Give it a drink of Seasol at least twice a week and see if it will through out some new shoots on the host tree.

I'm concerned at how the layer looks. Could you do a check on the trunk and branches to see if there is any green showing.

Regards Ray

Me Too . Yeah the branches look really dry

Hi Raymond,
If they are dry it looks like you have lost the layer. When you cut it off it would be good to see some photos. If you could take some photos of the layer, before and after, you remove the sphagnum.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

Hi Raymond,
It's good to see green on the trunk. Give it a drink of Seasol at least twice a week and see if it will through out some new shoots on the host tree.

I'm concerned at how the layer looks. Could you do a check on the trunk and branches to see if there is any green showing.

Regards Ray

Me Too . Yeah the branches look really dry

Hi Raymond,
If they are dry it looks like you have lost the layer. When you cut it off it would be good to see some photos. If you could take some photos of the layer, before and after, you remove the sphagnum.

Regards Ray

So I can cut the layer off the host tree and the trunk will survive? I'll be taking the pics of the unwrapped layer tonight after work.

[Ray M]

So I can cut the layer off the host tree and the trunk will survive? I'll be taking the pics of the unwrapped layer tonight after work.

Hi Raymond,
Yes mate, you can remove the layer. Continue the Seasol on the host tree until you see new growth. Once new growth is established you can change the fertilizer regime. Will be good to see some photos.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

So it seems I have made a rookie mistake . What I thought was a nice ball of roots in the moss was actually just the plastic wrapping under the alfoil. It looked so much like roots I was in a state of shock when I realised the layer had no fired a shot

The layer I removed and potted up is now residing in the bin The photo shows the dried out trunk

So... My layers failed. I now have to hope the original trunk survies and It shoots

[Ray M]

So it seems I have made a rookie mistake . What I thought was a nice ball of roots in the moss was actually just the plastic wrapping under the alfoil. It looked so much like roots I was in a state of shock when I realised the layer had no fired a shot

So... My layers failed. I now have to hope the original trunk survies and It shoots

Hi Raymond,
It looks like the layer has been to wet. If you haven't thrown out the layer, could you please remove the sphagnum and take a photo of the trunk where you did the layer.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

Ray M,
I left the moss on. I will remove it and get you a photo after work. With the original trunk, do I just chop it anywhere? Cut paste, yes or no?

[Ray M]

Ray M,
I left the moss on. I will remove it and get you a photo after work. With the original trunk, do I just chop it anywhere? Cut paste, yes or no?

Hi mate,
I would cut just below the bottom cut of the layer. This will give any potential buds a chance to come through. Yes, I would seal the cut.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

So after work I removed the sphagnum moss.



I then chopped the failed layer off and it too now resides in the bin
Sealed the wound and topped up the pot with fresh soil, fingers crossed

[Ray M]

Hi Raymond,
Two things to mention.
I'm not sure if you got all the cambium off the layer. Have a look at Page 2 in your book.
I suspect the layer got far to wet. Have a look at Page 4, note the importance of sealing the layer to prevent loss of moisture. In the case with your layer it would also prevent extra moisture getting into the layer.

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

We have lift off, ladies and gentlemen. new shoots

[Elmar]

We have lift off, ladies and gentlemen. new shoots

Great feeling, isn't it!!

[Ray M]

We have lift off, ladies and gentlemen. new shoots

Hi Raymond,
That's good news. Feed it up well and next Spring you can have another go at layering.

Regards Ray

[Eusto]

What time of year is best to airlayer Japanese Maple?

Thanks.

[Ray M]

What time of year is best to airlayer Japanese Maple?

Thanks.

Hi Eusto,
Next Spring when you see new buds starting to break would work very well.

Regards Ray

[Eusto]

What time of year is best to airlayer Japanese Maple?

Thanks.

Hi Eusto,
Next Spring when you see new buds starting to break would work very well.

Regards Ray

Cheers. Just as I suspected.