Brachychiton Rupestris air layer

[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

[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 ?

[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
Cheers Rod
Ps has the lower trunk shot back?

[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

[rodm]

Hi Milo
Will be trying one at the end of the year, see how it goes. Thanks Milo

Cheers Rod

[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

[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

Milo

[Bougy Fan]

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

[Gerard]

I think you are a little self concious, I enjoyed your presentation and was not put off by anything out of order.

[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 next summer I will give your method a go hoping for a much better result.

[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.
Now wondering if there is room for a couple of brachychitons on the benches