Is December too late to Air Layer?

[Sime76]

Hi folks,

I have a Seiju Elm and it has has a main branch that needs to go and I want to air layer the branch that would be otherwsie discarded to see if I can grow that into something.
Is NOW (december) too late to try this?



Thanks

[Jamie]

being an elm it should root quite quickly, mine rooted and is strong after ten weeks, has been removed and is now in its on pot establishing a new root system, i think if you look after it correctly with good after care you shouldnt have an issue at all

jamie

[Pup]

Hi folks,

I have a Seiju Elm and it has has a main branch that needs to go and I want to air layer the branch that would be otherwsie discarded to see if I can grow that into something.
Is NOW (december) too late to try this?



Thanks

If the tree is showing signs of new growth it should not be a problem. Just remember to watch your seasons .

Keep it sheltered on warm to hot days. It should not take long at this time of the year. DO NOT let the layer dry out even for a short time.
Cheers Pup

[Sime76]

Cool, thanks,

It is putting out some shoots down around where I want to do the air layer and I have been continuously trimming the top to get some back budding happening.
I'll put a pic up just for the hell of it.

[Sime76]

Here tis.
I want to air layer the left trunk as that seems to be the best option. Unfortunately though that trunk seems to have the better bark but it also has some negative taper so I think I will have to start the layer very close to the first branches and cut all that great bark off.

P1010276.jpg

[Pup]

Here tis.
I want to air layer the left trunk as that seems to be the best option. Unfortunately though that trunk seems to have the better bark but it also has some negative taper so I think I will have to start the layer very close to the first branches and cut all that great bark off.

P1010276.jpg

Sime, that is not a Seiju. It is a Suberosa. Seiju elms have oposite foliage this one has alternate. The airlayer you want to take will be OK as it will cork up again in a couple of years.
Cheers Pup

[Sime76]

Thanks for the correction Pup.
Somone had told me it was a Seiju so I just took their word for it.

[kcpoole]

Nice sime
I have a hoikkaido elm i put a layer on only a few weeks ago.
Should be good to do now just make sure is protected a little as Pup says

Ken

[Sime76]

oh I just realised that the picture did not match up with what I said.

I am planning on air layering the trunk on the RIGHT and will eventually cut off the remainder flush to the (retained) trunk

[jwishbone]

being an elm it should root quite quickly, mine rooted and is strong after ten weeks, has been removed and is now in its on pot establishing a new root system, i think if you look after it correctly with good after care you shouldnt have an issue at all

jamie

What is the recommended after care?

Prune leaves? Place on area with less sun? Do you fertilise?

[kcpoole]

Treat the tree as you normally do, but ensure the layr stays out of full sun if you can ( cover with Dark plastic or like me use aluminium foil).
Make sure the layer does not dry out at all

Ken

[Jamie]

oh I just realised that the picture did not match up with what I said.

I am planning on air layering the trunk on the RIGHT and will eventually cut off the remainder flush to the (retained) trunk

good call, i was wondering why you would be taken the left one off, it shows more taper and movement, plus the layer will be much better on the right, more to work with

enjoy


jamie

[jwishbone]

Treat the tree as you normally do, but ensure the layr stays out of full sun if you can ( cover with Dark plastic or like me use aluminium foil).
Make sure the layer does not dry out at all

Ken

so when is it the right time to snap the air layered branch off the main tree... do you base yiour judgement and the number of roots that has come through???

[shibui]

If you use clear plastic you will eventually see the new roots growing inside the plastic. Otherwise, carefully open the plastic and check for root growth every month or so but be careful, the new roots are very brittle and break off easily. There's no 'right' time as different trees and different growing conditions will influence how quickly roots grow. The amount of roots a tree needs to survive depends on species, growing conditions and aftercare so you will need to use your own judgement when you think there's enough roots to support the tree. If you remove it in winter the tree will not need quite as many active roots and will have time to adjust as spring arrives.

Sime, that is not a Seiju. It is a Suberosa. Seiju elms have oposite foliage this one has alternate. The airlayer you want to take will be OK as it will cork up again in a couple of years.
Cheers Pup

Pup can you post a photo of your Seiju please, I've checked the ones I have as Seilu and they all have alternative foliage pattern as do the Hokkaido elm (you just have to look really close as the internodes and leaves are so tiny) and all of the other elm varieties I'm growing. I thought Seiju was just a variety of U. parvifolia and should have basically the same growth pattern with smaller leaves and rough bark? Maybe we do not have real Seiju over here??

[Pup]

.

Sime, that is not a Seiju. It is a Suberosa. Seiju elms have oposite foliage this one has alternate. The airlayer you want to take will be OK as it will cork up again in a couple of years.
Cheers Pup

Pup can you post a photo of your Seiju please, I've checked the ones I have as Seilu and they all have alternative foliage pattern as do the Hokkaido elm (you just have to look really close as the internodes and leaves are so tiny) and all of the other elm varieties I'm growing. I thought Seiju was just a variety of U. parvifolia and should have basically the same growth pattern with smaller leaves and rough bark? Maybe we do not have real Seiju over here??[/quote]

Shibui,
I do not have a Seiju in my collection just suberosa and Hokkeido and Catlin and of course the standard Elms. My mate has one and there are a number of them in the nurseries.
So next time I visit I will take my camera.
It is funny that you make the comment about the right or wrong one. We here in Western Australia have that problem. We are told it is this then we have to re think. As in cases like this. Our Seiju is very much like the one from Korea the bark is not as bumpy as the suberosa, which is another thing I noticed on this tree.
If you look at my tree in 360 you will see what I mean. This particular tree was imported from Ray Nesci's in the early 90's and sold as Suberosa.
It is my understanding that all of the cultivars are from Parvifolia. From information of nurserymen, and qualified horticulturists.
Cheers Pup