Air Layering an old Rosemary bush

[mtarros]

Yea the rosemary did look like a successfull first layer its a shame about the hybiscus as it had a really nice trunk flow to it.

I have planted it up in hope that it can get more roots growing.
Should I give it some liquid feed or will it not matter.

I dont think it will take but you never know.

[Kyushu Danji]

Don't apply anything other than seasol until there are clear signs that it is growing. Seasol is not a fertilizer, but a soil conditioner and it should help with establishing some roots.

[mtarros]

I have given them both sesol now so hope it helps them.

Also should I apply cut paste to the hybiscus?

[Kyushu Danji]

Again, I'm not familiar with hibiscus in particular, but it can't do much harm, so better safe than sorry is my opinion. Hope it recovers

[mtarros]

If it does I will be buying a loto ticket.

How long would it normaly take to die off if it is going to go down hill?

[Kyushu Danji]

That really is a case by case sort of thing in my experience. Just nurture it for the time being. It might sit and do nothing for months, but as long as it doesn't start wilting or turning brown, that is a positive sign, so wait until new growth starts up. If it does start to go brown, especially the hibiscus, then you have most probably lost it.

[mtarros]

The rosemary bush is turning brown and the hibiscus leaves are falling off and going brown.

There is still a bit of green on both of them so may be there is too much folage for the amount of roots?
I hope they both kick back in and grow, at this stage it does not look good.

[Kyushu Danji]

Im sorry to hear that mtarros. Its hard to advise you on what to do without actually seeing a photo, but if the foliage is too great in proportion to the roots you should definitely trim it back more. You may get lucky and have some new growth appear.

Good luck

James

[Watto]

Don't forget the most important bonsai saying of all time - ONE MORE SPRING!

[Greth]

Doesn't sound like the best outcome there, Mtarros.
I have had some successes with rooter pots from Garden Express. These cost a few dollars each but are purpose built for airlayering, easier than fiddling with moss and plastic in mid air anyway, and reusable, although some of the little plastic tabs and bits do break off easily. Easy to check and water without disturbing the baby roots, and they have a little water reservoir at the bottom.

[mtarros]

Hi

I will have to have at the rooter pots.

Just posting an update on how they are going.
The rosmary is all brown and no leaves but the hibiscus still has some green leaves so it might make it.

I need to cut back the rosmary to see if it is all dead.

[cre8ivbonsai]

I have had some successes with rooter pots from Garden Express. These cost a few dollars each but are purpose built for airlayering, easier than fiddling with moss and plastic in mid air anyway, and reusable, although some of the little plastic tabs and bits do break off easily. Easy to check and water without disturbing the baby roots, and they have a little water reservoir at the bottom.

Hi Greth, these sound interesting, had a look on GE website but couldn't locate them... do you have a link so we can see what these are all about?

Cheers, Ryan

[Petra]

http://www.gardenexpress.com.au good luck!

[mtarros]

http://www.gardenexpress.com.au/rooter-pot/

[GerhardGerber]

Hi All

Sorry to jump in here....

I can't get spaghum (SP?) locally, did get cocconut hair and I was thinking of mixing that with cotton wool for the layer. Opinions?

I've got an Elm air layer pushing roots, that was done with a cut plastic pot with sand, but there's no space for this method on the next air layers I want to do.
Also, the bark on the Elm just above the layer seems to not like being burried under sand, might be a wasted effort afterall.

Thanks
Gerhard