Willow Leaf Fig Air Layer

[mcgee]

My airlayer is ready to get the chop tomorrow and i was wondering if i should bother using cut paste on the stump??
Also should i leave a bit of a stump so i dont risk cutting any of the new roots? And cut it back closer to the new roots next repot?

Cheers

[Truth]

Do you have a photo of the bag of roots, and the amount and shape of trunk underneath?

[mcgee]

Nope.. no pictures unfortunatly just wondering if you have to apply cut paste so it doesnt rot from the cut upwards into the tree.

[Ryceman3]

Nope.. no pictures unfortunatly just wondering if you have to apply cut paste so it doesnt rot from the cut upwards into the tree.

I don't think it's compulsory but I did apply cut paste on both Mel & Olive layers I did last year & both are pretty happy so I'll say I reckon it's a good idea. No drama leaving a bit of stump either, probably easier to remove it all at a later re-pot as the roots from layers can be a bit brittle/delicate. They harden up after a while, making it an easier task later on.

Good luck with it.

[Boics]

Nope.. no pictures unfortunatly just wondering if you have to apply cut paste so it doesnt rot from the cut upwards into the tree.

I don't think it's compulsory but I did apply cut paste on both Mel & Olive layers I did last year & both are pretty happy so I'll say I reckon it's a good idea. No drama leaving a bit of stump either, probably easier to remove it all at a later re-pot as the roots from layers can be a bit brittle/delicate. They harden up after a while, making it an easier task later on.

Good luck with it.

I agree with the above.
Whilst I've never used cut paste before for this cause I don't see the harm other than it likely not drying underground anyway?

I concur that leaving a bit of a stump at first is likely a good idea to protect the brittle roots.
Next season you can commence chomping into the stump as the more mature roots will be more tolerant.