question on air layering

[peterb]

Hi all
I was reading about the merits of willow cutting water to promote rooting, well i was wondering would it be a good idea to soak spagnum moss in the water before wrapping it around an air layering or is that already common practice, if it is something people already do then if i want to do several airlayers in spring then when should i start with the willow cuttings , the main tree i want to airlayer is a hawethorn " pauls scarlett" which i tried last spring and it failed. any suggestions would be very welcome.
kind regards
peterb

[Paulneill]

Hi mate I don't think willow water is needed . If u haven't already check out Graeme Potters u tube video on layering . Also the moss should be soaked and rinsed so its damp not sopping wet also the unenclosed pot type layer is better coz it dries out but not always practical because it needs watered often. I layered 20 trees last year and only one failed because it bridged the gap. I didn't scrape the sap wood on it plus it was a celtis and very fast growing after 8 months it had near fully healed over a four inch gap.good luck.

[shibui]

Peter, extra hormones are not needed in layering but they can help speed up and increase the number of roots produced. Commercial rooting compound is easier and probably stronger than willow water but soaking the moss in willow water will not hurt and might even help so worth a try.
Best of luck with getting roots on 'Pauls Scarlet' - none of us have been able to yet. I know Bodhi would love to hear that you have succeeded.

[Greth]

Sounds like you are interested to give it a try, maybe start the willow cuttings about a fortnight before, should be decent amount of hormone by then.

[treeman]

Forget about trying to layer a PS hawthorn, it just won't work. IF you are EXTREMELY lucky you MIGHT get 1 root. You must graft!!!

[newzealandteatree]

I have no experience airlayering hawthorn. But I do soak my spagnum moss in seasol solution. I have done hundreds of airlaying with over 95% success rate.

Cheers,

CJ

[peterb]

Hi All
thanks for the help and info on pauls scarlett, i will ask my friend to show me how to graft one ,as they really are magnificent trees and i want one for my collection, haven't managed to find one in any nursery in adelaide
regards
peterb