Discussions on success of Root striking vs Airlayering

[Elmar]

Ok,
Happy BIRFDAY to me! I've been a member now for 1 year... I have learned heaps but haven't really improved on my success rate.
I'm trying new things and have a green (read shade) house on order! BUT, and it's a big but:-

Species for species, what is the more successful process of propagation, taking cuttings & rooting hormone OR Airlayering?

NB: I live in north WA, and nurseries are not easily reached so propagation is a necessary process for me to gain/collect more trees...


Cheers
Elmar

[Beano]

I think that depends on the tree species.

[Elmar]

Thanx Beano,
I guessed that. My preferences are towards melaleuca, calistemon, sheoak and eucalypts...

Sorry, sure that'll help precipitate discussion!


Cheers
Elmar

[Daluke]

I have had luck striking cuttings from Azaleas, Elm, Juniper, Bouganvillea, Serissa and Pomegranate. Probably 50% strike rate.

Air layering on the other hand hasn't been successful.

I live in Melbourne and have found constant misting has seemed to help with the cuttings.

[Phoenix238]

Cuttings are quicker to do and you can do a whole heap at once easily, but generally you can only do thinner branchlets with reasonable success. Air layering is for thicker branches to get a usable stock plant with (in theory) a better success rate. Why not try both and see which works best for you with each species?

[Elmar]

I have had luck striking cuttings from Azaleas, Elm, Juniper, Bouganvillea, Serissa and Pomegranate. Probably 50% strike rate.

Air layering on the other hand hasn't been successful.

I live in Melbourne and have found constant misting has seemed to help with the cuttings.

Thanks Daluke,
Well I am trying cuttings at the moment; reading and rereading posts on discussions on how to do it. Funnily enough, the more 'flippant' my attitude towards the cutting the more successful I am! How ever, the 'flippant' part then comes in and sabotages my efforts - because the growth medium is not correct or it's not the right mix for our temperatures in Hedland (hot to 'flamin' hot in summer), so I'm looking towards attempting some air layers in order to improve my success rate...


Cheers
Elmar

[Elmar]

Cuttings are quicker to do and you can do a whole heap at once easily, but generally you can only do thinner branchlets with reasonable success. Air layering is for thicker branches to get a usable stock plant with (in theory) a better success rate. Why not try both and see which works best for you with each species?

G'day Phoenix,
You are correct, I should and am about to try both. Time seems to be my biggest restraint and access to the required material!
I have found some mature Casuarinas in town and have made a couple of attempts to ask for permission of the owners.


Cheers
Elmar

[shibui]

Species for species, what is the more successful process of propagation, taking cuttings & rooting hormone OR Airlayering?

Air layer can produce a larger trunk far quicker but there are a few drawbacks, especially for bonsai-
1. Limited numbers. Unless you are really obsessed you will probably only be able to put on a few air layers at any time. On the other hand you can strike 50 or more cuttings in the same amount of time to give you more opportunities.
2. Quality. Garden plants rarely produce branches that are really suitable for creating a quality bonsai. They tend to have long, straight sections and usually have larger internodes, neither of which are good for bonsai. Sure you can establish a layer then cut it down and regrow it to produce taper and movement but how long will that take? I have seen good bonsai layered off another bonsai but have not yet managed to layer anything off a garden plant that I would keep as a bonsai myself and have layered quite a few that I initially thought might have promise but I have either thrown them out or sold them on because they ended up just not right as bonsai.
3. Species. Any plant you can grow as cuttings will also air layer but you may find some species that you cannot root as a cutting but which will still layer successfully - Black pines and Red Gum are good examples - cuttings are rarely successful but both layer quite easily.

I find cuttings are more useful-
1. Strike large numbers in one go using a small propagation area. This will give lots of chances to get a good one Sell, swap, give away or chuck out excess plants that do not meet your (high) standards.
2. Flexibility. You start off with smaller material and have much more control over the size, shape, thickness, etc of your eventual bonsai. As they grow you will be able to pick out good shohin sized trees and grow some others on for larger sized bonsai.
I also grow lots of plants from seed for the same reasons.

Any plant you can grow as cuttings will also air layer but you may find some species that you cannot root as a cutting but which will still layer successfully.

[Elmar]

Shibui, that is an exceptionally concise answer!
Thank you

Think it's time to go and get some cuttings! Since I've had some success already with Casuarinas, I might start there!

Thank you for your contributions


Cheers
Elmar

[GavinG]

Mels and Calls should grow well from cuttings, - if you take stock from trees growing out of town, you may get the stuff that's used to your conditions. And teach the rest of us a thing or two! Acacias and Eucs are reputedly difficult from cuttings, seeds are a better bet. I don't know what grows up your way, but cuttings of any of the small-leaf shrubs might be worth a go: Leptos, Kunzeas and so on - whatever you find that looks interesting. You'd tend to take cuttings in autumn or spring, not now.

Best of luck.

Gavin

[shibui]

Acacias and Eucs are reputedly difficult from cuttings

You are correct about eucs Gav but many acacias are quite easy to strike. Think of all those new acacia cultivars, the prostrate vars, etc - All grown from cuttings to preserve the characteristics. I have grown most of my local species from cuttings at one stage or another.

You'd tend to take cuttings in autumn or spring, not now.

That depends on your propagating setup and where the stock plants are. With a bit of mist cuttings will strike really quickly during summer. Cuttings taken from healthy, well watered plants strike better than those from stressed plants so maybe not the best time to take cuttings from plants in the bush but still ok from plants in the garden.

[Elmar]

Good points, Gavin & Shibui.