Air Layer Qs for Plum

[Inspired]

My parents place has a plum tree with sweet edible plums that go from green to yellow.

I noticed that secondary branching all over the tree has terrific and desirable traits to the bonsai art however most of these branchlets are only about 1-2cm thick.

There are white blossom on these branchlets also.

When can I air layer these?

[Boics]

I'd wait until the tree is at least in full leaf and potentially when the leaves have hardened off.

Reason I say hardened off is that I have undertaken airlayers early (ie when the leaves have just opened) and found that the sap flow was very low and made it difficult to remove the bark.
When the sap is flowing bark removes easily exposing the cambium layer.

[Inspired]

Hey Boics so perhaps mid to late spring?

There are quite a number of really interesting branchlets that would be great shohins or semi cascades..

Here's one.. do you think its too small to layer?

[Boics]

I don't see any reason that a "smaller" air layer won't work other than practical reasons.
By practical I mean that...

1. The branch will be too small to "ring bark".
2. The branch will not support a wrap / pot.
3. The branch will completely snap.

If it's too small you could always try a cutting...
There is also another layering method which doesn't ring bark a tree but cuts diagonally through a branch about 1/2 to 2/3rds the way through. This method will yield a poorer root system for Bonsai though.

Personally I think you have little to lose and a Shohin to gain!

Nice pic by the way - must be a decent camera?

[Inspired]

Camera is lowsy.. just a great photographer behind the snap really haha jk I just used my Samsung phone..

Never paid much attention but now that you have mentioned it.. yes it is quite a decent camera i guess since all I do is push 1 button.
You've got quite an eye for detail.

Cutting.. hmm how come I didn't think of that

Perhaps all my previous attempts at cuttings weren't an astounding success and layering seemed the next to try at.

I do have one branch that is already quite well ramified and quirky too which is just what I like

I think I will just train it as is on the tree which will help fatten it up some more and attempt the layer in few seasons to come.

Others I will attempt like you mentioned as cuttings and others I'll try the air layer method.

Cheers

[Boics]

Without doubt air layering yields far superior success than cuttings.
So if you can do the layer (which I reckon you can) this is the best option.

Keeping the branch in place and manicuring this for removal at a later date is also ok although it typically won't thicken/mature as quick as it would if successfully air layered.

[Phoenix238]

I love the camera on my Samsung Galaxy S5, 16Mp takes fantastic photo's. Only problem is trying to get it to focus when really close up

[treeman]

Here's one.. do you think its too small to layer?

Its too old to airlayer. I would be very surprised if it worked.

[Inspired]

Really too old to air layer? Aren't the branchlets quite young or are they old in fact

I just like the rugged bends

[treeman]

Really too old to air layer? Aren't the branchlets quite young or are they old in fact

I just like the rugged bends

Old is probably the wrong word. They are made of year after year of fruiting spurs piled on top of each other. I don't think this type of wood has much rooting ability. You could try grafting these branches onto seedling stock?

[Inspired]

They are made of year after year of fruiting spurs piled on top of each other. I don't think this type of wood has much rooting ability. You could try grafting these branches onto seedling stock?

That does make sense. All of the branches are straight with smooth bark except for the secondary branchlets which are rugged and compact. How would I know what seedling stock to attempt?

Anyone with ideas how I can just get the rugged branches to root or the method of layering for better success?