Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Acerifolius, Populneus, Rupestris etc
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Milo
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Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Milo »

Have a tall Bottle tree, and hope to air layer the top and regrow the base. but did not want to air layer it and have it fail and lose the tree. So tried the air layer on a tree that had a reverse taper in the base
May 2014 c.jpg
Keep the moss well watered for 3 months
May 2014 b.jpg
Raked as much moss as possible from the roots
May 2014 a.jpg
Repoted the top and sealed the base, will wait to see if it reshoots from the base
May 2014.jpg
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Bougy Fan »

Very timely post Milo - I have a bottle tree that I want to take the top off and was wondering if an air layer would work. Was the layering medium 100% spag moss ?
Regards Tony

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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by rodm »

Great work Milo, what time of the year did you start your air laying? I have two I need to do something with now I know both with big trunks :tu2:
Cheers Rod
Ps has the lower trunk shot back?
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Milo »

Hi Tony
It was 100% Spag moss, I split and tapped a plastic pot to trunk with plenty of spag moss. This allowed me to water regularly with out disturbing moss. I also kept the soil in the bonsai pot as dry as possible.
I cut 10mm into that inside growth ring (Dia of trunk is 60mm) and use plenty of Yates Clonex rooting hormone gel, and a fairly strong mix of Multicrop Plant starter every 3 weeks.
SAM_9587.jpg
Hi Rod
Around Xmas time and it has only been a week or so and as its quite cool down here in northern Vic and don't expect any shoots for a while. I have another Bottle tree and a Flame tree that I will layer early spring ( with my new gained confidence.)

Best of luck Milo
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by rodm »

Hi Milo
Will be trying one at the end of the year, see how it goes. Thanks Milo
:tu2:
Cheers Rod
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Milo »

Hi
Just an update on my practice bottle tree.
I cut it back very hard in Nov, with a view to reduce the hight of the tree
9 Nov 2014 a.jpg
Jan 26 2015.jpg

Milo
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Milo »

Hi
Gave a talk on Brachychitons at the Native Symposium, unfortunately it was a bit of a flop. As it was the last talk of the week end, I stressed all wk end, And as I was struggling through it with too many show and tell items as well as the power point presentation, a slide appeared out of order and that was the end of me.
However I will revise the presentation, sticking to one tree , the bottle tree. And front up at a club meeting some where and have another go.
DSCF9730.jpg
P1000085.jpg
The slide shows the self healing, as a branch dies and drops off, the tree closes over where the branch was giving the eye effect.
But its important to seal any cuts to your tree, and allow the tree to heal under the sealant without drying out.
Brachy 2.jpg
Brachy 5.jpg
Brachy 8.jpg
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Bougy Fan »

It's not easy speaking publicly - just keep at it and it will get a bit easier :tu: I have a bottle tree that needs a chop - you have inspired me to have a go at air layering it - thanks :worship:
Regards Tony

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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by Gerard »

I think you are a little self concious, I enjoyed your presentation and was not put off by anything out of order.
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by EdwardH »

Great post!
I also have a bottle tree which has poor roots. Last year I chopped the roots off completely (they can go 6 months without water as they store water in the trunk) hoping to get a better root system. Only two roots grew 180 degrees they are straight as a ruler :palm: next summer I will give your method a go hoping for a much better result.
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Re: Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

Post by shibui »

I think you are a little self concious, I enjoyed your presentation and was not put off by anything out of order.
Me too. Didn't even notice the slide problem because I was too busy absorbing the great info. :clap:
Now wondering if there is room for a couple of brachychitons on the benches :palm:
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