AusBonsai

Hi All
I was wondering if anyone had air layered a pyracantha ? If so what was the best method ie. ring bark or tournique etc and how long did it take to root . Do they even air layer easily . I tried to air layer a pauls scarlet hawthorn once only to find i was pushing s"*^t uphill so don't really want to try on something thats not going to work

regards
peterb

I have only been able to propagate with cuttings - had several failures with a layer but it can be done.

Pyracantha can be airlayered. I set a layer on a fairly large and old specimen with the ring bark method (applying moss/pine bark/diatomite) in spring 2011 and removed in August 2012. There were plenty of roots when I removed the moss and it hasn't skipped a beat since potting up. Give it a try, but be prepared to wait a while for results.

Hi Peterb , mate i have struck cuttings up to 30mm, basically stubs .I have more success with larger cutting than smaller ones so the will definately Air layer . When layering i used both ring bark and wire at the same time on all species with an open pot not a sealed plastic bag /wrap .

Cheers Alpineart

I have had success with pyracantha air layers up to 35mm thick using the Collar method on or close to Melbourne Day and have been able to remove the layer mid to late march the following year ie, 5-6 months but keep the rooting medium just damp.
Oscar1

hi guys ,
thanks for the advice seems that cuttings appear to be easier , i'm quite the beginner at this so when would you take a cutting and what do you do with them once you've cut them off . The reason that i'm a bit reluctant to try air layer now is that the tree is fairly far away and as such I won't be able to drive there regularly to water. Is fine diatomite (1-2mm) a good striking medium for cuttings
regards
peterb