Air layering Premna Japinica's is it possible...?

[Bonsaiforest]

Hi there... Have a large Premna Japonica's that I'm hoping to air layer successfully. It's living in large foam fruit box. The tree has 3 main branches that are about 6cm thick, 2 of which I would like to air layer... And the other has a really nice taper so after the air layers are removed I'd like to work on that as my main focus while the other two are potted up to produce a stronger root system before growing in the ground.
What I'm wondering is can I air layer 2 branches off the same time? Or do I have do do it over 2 seasons.? Also once the air layers are removed am I able to chopp the remaining stock off back to the main trunk as the extra branches would no longer be needed?
Can I do them at the same time or again should I wait and remove unwanted branches over two seasons giving each scar time to heal and close over.?

Please help ... Really want to get this project on its way...!!!

[MoGanic]

Hi Bonsaiforest,

You can air layer both branches at once provided you can fit the layers on easily. Best to leave any growth above the layer and let them both grow out over the season as that will assist in producing roots - trim back after you remove the layer to reduce stress on the new roots (or remove just prior to bud burst in Spring - better option IMO).

Cheers,
Mo

[shibui]

Agreed. You can put as many layers on a single tree as there is room to fit them. The only condition seems to be that each layer needs to have leaves above it to feed the developing roots.

2. After removing your layers you should be able to cut off both stumps immediately. I have noted that if the 2 scars are close to each other there can be some difficulty healing them both over at the same time but if these branches are from separate parts of the main trunk you should have no problem. Sealing the cuts DOES speed up callus and healing over so it is worthwhile having some on hand. Someone on this forum (Grant Bowie?) swears that double sealing works even better - the gooey one (like toothpaste) first then when that has dried put the putty one over the top.

[MoGanic]

Agreed. You can put as many layers on a single tree as there is room to fit them. The only condition seems to be that each layer needs to have leaves above it to feed the developing roots.

2. After removing your layers you should be able to cut off both stumps immediately. I have noted that if the 2 scars are close to each other there can be some difficulty healing them both over at the same time but if these branches are from separate parts of the main trunk you should have no problem. Sealing the cuts DOES speed up callus and healing over so it is worthwhile having some on hand. Someone on this forum (Grant Bowie?) swears that double sealing works even better - the gooey one (like toothpaste) first then when that has dried put the putty one over the top.

Perhaps the double sealing is kind of like what some folk do with foil to protect the healing area. Peter Tea for example, uses cut paste and then covers this with foil and he heals up fair size cuts in a single or two seasons (I presume longer growing seasons help too though).

Hmm!

Mo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bonsaiforest]

Ok ... So then my next question would be that once the wound has healed over completely. Would that mean that the healed area can then direct sap flow in conjunction with the rest of the main tree ... ?

[MoGanic]

Ok ... So then my next question would be that once the wound has healed over completely. Would that mean that the healed area can then direct sap flow in conjunction with the rest of the main tree ... ?

Yes, sap flows in any area of live wood .

Mo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bonsaiforest]

Thanks Mo... Just what I wanted to hear... Not to worried about the trunk chop now and will definitely go ahead.

Thanks

Ross