First go @ airlayering, building a record

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » October 13th, 2015, 12:47 pm

Hahaha don't stress. The hing that's helping me now may very well be killing these off soon - heat! We've had 38+ degrees for the last couple of weeks!

Calluses at the base of the bark would suggest new roots ... Calluses between the top bark and bottom bark would be a bridge and that, as I've read here would stop roots forming.
I scraped the hard wood with my knife only... Didn't whittle it, as you put it as we don't want to damage the connection from the roots to the foliage!!! The roots are supposed to supply all the goodies to the levels who then can't send their photosynthetic produce back to the roots, hence the new root formation... Well, that's the theory anyway.

I'm seeing that I probably need to increase he sphagnum moss bulge as it looks too tiny for the top... See what I can cook up on the weekend...

Cheers
Elmar

Jarad · Post by **Jarad** » October 15th, 2015, 4:52 am

Nice work mate!

Looks like you've got yourself a quite vigorous tree there.

NAHamilton · Post by **NAHamilton** » November 1st, 2015, 12:01 am

How are you travelling with these Elmar?

I did some earlier in Feb on a Benji, which were my first layers. Biggest was about 30mm diameter. After 5 or 6 weeks I took one off as there were a couple of roots out of the bottom of the pot (I did 3 split pot coir/diatomite and 2 like yours) and was surprised to find it was full of roots. I separated them all at that time and they've all survived. I have had minimal growth on them since then, but I think it is more due to the season as opposed to timing taking them off.

I also cut off a 40-50 mm branch in August and jammed it in a pot before going on holiday. It's starting to power along now. Benji's seem like they enjoy reproduction

It's funny that a small project back yard project has people you don't know waiting to see you succeed

Cheers,
Nigel

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » November 1st, 2015, 8:13 am

Haha thanx Nigel,
Been flat out like a lizard drinking with work and haven't had the chance to look at it...

I did rotate the parent plant so that the airlayer is away from the sun light (I was thinking this should protect the roots somewhat), but haven't actually checked.

I'm sure that, if it hasn't died of neglect, the rootball would be gangbusters. Today could be the day!
Let's hope I get a chance to do something with it today... Getting a bit excited...

Cheers
Elmar

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » November 1st, 2015, 9:38 am

Just a had a sticky-beak and the root ball is full!

So, its time! Time to cut back the top and to take the layer off!

I'll pop it into potting mix (for no other reason than that I have run out of Bonsai mix

) and see if it survives me and the second phase of its life...

Truth · Post by **Truth** » November 1st, 2015, 11:54 am

Awesome! progression Elmar, you're clearly doing something right! Can't wait to see. I should probably go out and check on mine too, I don't think they'll be ready for quite some time yet though..

Pearcy001 · Post by **Pearcy001** » November 1st, 2015, 12:34 pm

I checked mine the other day, bone dry...

Great job with the layer Elmar, make sure you take plenty of photos for the people like me that failed haha.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

Truth · Post by **Truth** » November 1st, 2015, 6:39 pm

I checked mine earlier today and still nothing visible. I put mine on a few days before Elmar, but Sydney has a very different climate to Port Headland. I think I should be looking towards the chirstmas/new year period before there will be enough roots for removal.

NAHamilton · Post by **NAHamilton** » November 2nd, 2015, 8:26 am

Elmar wrote:Just a had a sticky-beak and the root ball is full!

So, its time! Time to cut back the top and to take the layer off!

I'll pop it into potting mix (for no other reason than that I have run out of Bonsai mix ) and see if it survives me and the second phase of its life...

Good to hear Elmar, I'm sure it will go well

Jarad · Post by **Jarad** » November 2nd, 2015, 8:55 am

Elmar wrote:Just a had a sticky-beak and the root ball is full!

...you have got to be kidding... That's awesome!

Is it normal to have so many roots so quickly?

Truth · Post by **Truth** » November 2nd, 2015, 9:08 am

Jarad wrote:
Elmar wrote:Just a had a sticky-beak and the root ball is full!
...you have got to be kidding... That's awesome!

Is it normal to have so many roots so quickly?

He lives in Port Headland, it's basically been a comfortable 30 degrees since he started the layer

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » November 3rd, 2015, 8:41 am

Yup, and to be honest, I wouldn't know what is normal up here (except death of trees! Usually starting with my favorites...)...

Cheers
Elmar

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » November 15th, 2015, 11:16 pm

Ok, finally got around to removing the layer and planting it.
Biggest thing I noticed was the size of the 'moss pack' that I used to encourage the roots seemed, initially, to be a good size. Once I cut the layer of, my rootball was just that; a tiny ball of interwoven roots - so make sure you give it a sizable moss ball for the roots to grow into!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447593287.328714.jpg

I tried prying the roots out, gently, very gently but to no avail. Left it soaking for a couple of hours in Seasol but still no joy!
Guided by Ray and Neil on another post, I planted it in a colander with a disc under the rootball and filling it up with Bonsai soil mix.
Disregarding my poor wiring job, I have used the wire to secure and stabilize the layer into the soil so the new roots can grow without being broken off...

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447592964.550857.jpg

It is currently sitting in more Seasol over night and I will periodically pull it out, but with the current temperatures I am hesitant to leave it out entirely...

Cheers
Elmar

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » November 15th, 2015, 11:21 pm

Additional pictures taken:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447593551.663862.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447593571.833052.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447593619.906113.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447593646.210106.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447593593.586028.jpg

Loaded them up in backwards sequence... Let's see if they come out correct, hehe...

Let's see it survive!

Cheers
Elmar

BikesandBonsai · Post by **BikesandBonsai** » November 16th, 2015, 5:23 am

Hi,
Next time try cutting the Moss as fine as you can with scissors before layering. This aids in removing the moss from the roots at the end. Other than that great job

AusBonsai