AusBonsai

First time air layering a boug. Lets see how it turns out. Sorry i didn't take any photos before i applied the moss.

Any takers on how long it will take to see signs of roots?








Here is a pic of the colour.

if you make sure the moss stays moist, about 6 weeks to get roots

Ken

Cheers ken, will keep an eye on it and keep this updated.

I've started to see some roots about 2 weeks ago. I think they are getting burnt at the tips due to poking out the bottom water hole or possibly from sun exposure. I have covered it in alu foil. I'll give it another 4 weeks and check to see how its going.
Upon my initial success I attached some more air layers on the tree.

Wrap the air layers in foil to protect the new roots from direct sunlight.

I'm no expert, but should they have more spag in them? They just don't look like they can hold many roots.

Jarad wrote:Wrap the air layers in foil to protect the new roots from direct sunlight.

I'm no expert, but should they have more spag in them? They just don't look like they can hold many roots.

Really? I probably too late to add some more.
I have already covered them in foil, i just didn't take a photo of it.

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Hey Homer911...I too used a small amount of Sphagnum moss when air layering my Zelkova. I found the following post by RayM which provides a detailed description of the do's & don'ts when layering. Ray was very helpful and answered all of my questions. If I remember correctly he said that I would be best to add more moss to my current layer, but you would have to be very careful to not disturb roots... & do not let the original moss and roots dry out in the process. Any way here's the post ....It's a great read and I'm sure you'll enjoy. I'm sure that if you sent Ray a PM and mention your post he'll be more than happy to oblige by giving you the right advice. Actually better if you read the post below and contact Ray before going ahead with any changes. Cheers all the best

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19536

Rule of thumb - the bark ring should be at least the same if not twice the thickness of the branch to avoid the tree trying to repair the wound.
Anyway, I had near 100% success with large cutting of bougies. Just cut them and keep in a bucket of water for a couple days before planting the cutting in pots. There is no need for air laying unless you already did a lot of training to a certain branch on the tree and want to turn it to a quick bonsai.

Bonsaiforest wrote:Hey Homer911...I too used a small amount of Sphagnum moss when air layering my Zelkova. I found the following post by RayM which provides a detailed description of the do's & don'ts when layering. Ray was very helpful and answered all of my questions. If I remember correctly he said that I would be best to add more moss to my current layer, but you would have to be very careful to not disturb roots... & do not let the original moss and roots dry out in the process. Any way here's the post ....It's a great read and I'm sure you'll enjoy. I'm sure that if you sent Ray a PM and mention your post he'll be more than happy to oblige by giving you the right advice. Actually better if you read the post below and contact Ray before going ahead with any changes. Cheers all the best

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19536

Cheers mate, ill have a read.

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kvan64 wrote:Rule of thumb - the bark ring should be at least the same if not twice the thickness of the branch to avoid the tree trying to repair the wound.
Anyway, I had near 100% success with large cutting of bougies. Just cut them and keep in a bucket of water for a couple days before planting the cutting in pots. There is no need for air laying unless you already did a lot of training to a certain branch on the tree and want to turn it to a quick bonsai.

Really? I must try that with another cutting and see how it goes.

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Nice trunk, so we going on from here now I guess.

Yeah, probably the best to continue the saga from here.

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