A couple of propagation questions?

[Starfox]

Hi all,

I have a couple of trees in the garden that I would like to take either some cuttings or some air layers of and was hoping for a touch of advice.
The trees in question are a Callistemon and I'm fairly certain the other is a Jacaranda.

Now I'm not sure what subspecies Callistemon it is but it's a largish tree and I was planning on doing an air layer or two on it, I have never done an air layer before but after much reading I think I am comfortable with the process itself but was wondering if there are any specific do's or don'ts in relation to selecting the branches for the air layer or anything else that should be heeded?

The other tree is I think a Jacaranda, before we moved in the last owners had cut it right back to basically a couple of bare stumps as branches. There was no growth at all but during the summer it has shot into life and now has quite a lot of new long growth to it but seeing as this growth is fairly young I don't think it is suitable for an air layer but I don't know, some of it is fairly wide. I can always try cuttings but that will have to wait I guess.

I have attached some photos of the new growth, the largest branches you can see in the first pic are about 3inches wide and there are plenty of smaller shoots too.
What would be the best approach on this tree?
I have also attached a pic of the Callistemon flower in hope of an ID. If more pics of anything are needed I can grab some more.

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IMG_1693e.jpg

[shibui]

Re callistemon: There are lots of Callistemon species and many more hundreds of cultivars and hybrids so I'm not going to make a guess as to ID but they air layer quite easily. You need to select a part of a branch that will give you good character for your bonsai trunk - ie thickness, taper, movement. In my experience all these factors are hard to find on a garden grown tree but if you can find something you think might look good then have a go. Leave plenty of foliage above the layer because that will feed the branch while it produces roots. If you can supply daily water open pot method is suitable but most layers use plastic wrapped sphagnum. I remove a complete ring of bark when layering as I find that part bark removal tends to heal before producing roots.
Hint: If you don't want your bonsai trunk to stick vertically out o the pot (trunk emerging at an angle is desirable) make the cuts when you ring bark on a suitable angle so that roots are produced in the appropriate place.

I don't grow Jacaranda down here - too cold. The large leaves tend not to make good bonsai. Those big, straight, no taper shoots are never going to make good bonsai Better to start with smaller cuttings so you can control the growth.

[Starfox]

Thanks for the reply.

IDing them can be hard at the best of times, especially since most places I have seen locally label them only as 'Bottlebrush'. At least they thrive well over here, most Aussie natives do.
I did notice that initially it was tough to locate a good branch but on closer inspection I have a few I'd like to choose from. Does it matter the length of the branch above the layer or can it be chopped back later on just as long as you find the right trunk piece? The more foliage left the better I suppose.
I've not seen the open pot method but will look into it, I was planning on the plastic wrapped sphagnum method doing as you say a complete ring of the bark.
That is a good tip too about tilting the angle of the cuts, think I will give that a go too.

Is it OK to do 2 or 3 layers on the one plant at a time or is that likely to stress the tree too much?

As for the Jacaranda that is kind of what I was thinking, they grow rapidly and straight up but thought I'd ask anyway. The tree itself may have to go so I'd like to take a few cuttings just in case.
I can always have a couple in a pot anyway.

[shibui]

Callistemon will grow new buds on bare wood so if you layer a large branch then after it has roots you can cut the top right back and it will still grow new shoots from the old wood. Here is another thread about cutting callistemon right back to bare stumps - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20848&hilit=callistemon&start=15 I think it is better to put the layer on a branch then cut back after it has roots. A big branch has lots of leaves so it will make roots quicker. If you cut back first before layering the branch will have no leaves and cannot make roots.
I have a callistemon bonsai and it keeps growing new buds from the older trunk and branches. I have to keep rubbing them off. I also have plenty of Callistemon that I have dug from gardens and cut back to stumps. They nearly always grow new buds.

When you put on air layers each layer must have green leaves to be able to make roots. If you put on 3, one above the other with no leaves between each layer, then only the top one will get roots. Hope that makes sense. You can put lots of layers on a plant. Just put them on different parts so each has green leaves above to feed it.

[kvan64]

Air layering Callistemons should be fine. However, I have seen some Jackarandas as bonsais...none in flowers. I have been told that no one ever been able to bonsai Jackarandas that flower. Maybe, a good experiment for you.
Cheers.
DK

[Starfox]

Callistemon will grow new buds on bare wood so if you layer a large branch then after it has roots you can cut the top right back and it will still grow new shoots from the old wood. Here is another thread about cutting callistemon right back to bare stumps - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20848&hilit=callistemon&start=15 I think it is better to put the layer on a branch then cut back after it has roots. A big branch has lots of leaves so it will make roots quicker. If you cut back first before layering the branch will have no leaves and cannot make roots.
I have a callistemon bonsai and it keeps growing new buds from the older trunk and branches. I have to keep rubbing them off. I also have plenty of Callistemon that I have dug from gardens and cut back to stumps. They nearly always grow new buds.

When you put on air layers each layer must have green leaves to be able to make roots. If you put on 3, one above the other with no leaves between each layer, then only the top one will get roots. Hope that makes sense. You can put lots of layers on a plant. Just put them on different parts so each has green leaves above to feed it.

Thanks, yep that makes sense to me, I should of mentioned on different branches in my post.

Also in that thread is a good example of cutting right back to stumps, that is useful for me to see.
Some of the branches have clearly been pruned back in the past already but the ones I think I want haven't been and have loads of leaves so it should be fine. Just need to wait for the moss to arrive now.

[Starfox]

Air layering Callistemons should be fine. However, I have seen some Jackarandas as bonsais...none in flowers. I have been told that no one ever been able to bonsai Jackarandas that flower. Maybe, a good experiment for you.
Cheers.
DK

There seem to be a few around from my internet searches but I have read the same thing that they don't flower probably due to all the effort needed to reduce the leaves. Google images appear to show a few in flower so maybe you have to neglect them for a year or two to grow out.
I can always try anyway.

[JaredN]

I tried propergating 4 jackarandas about 8 weeks ago with no luck, both from hard and soft cuttings about 6 inches long. Followed everything I'd read over multiple sites, but yeah they didn't take unfortunately.
Agree I've seen a few photos on google of them flowering, interesting to hear it's unlikely though... Good luck!

[Starfox]

They are supposed to be easy enough to grow from seed too, definitely fast growing so maybe I'll look out for some seed. If not I'll wait for warmer weather and try some cuttings.

We have the in laws coming next week from France for Christmas so I'll have a bit more time to get out and try a few things.

[kcpoole]

Air layering Callistemons should be fine. However, I have seen some Jackarandas as bonsais...none in flowers. I have been told that no one ever been able to bonsai Jackarandas that flower. Maybe, a good experiment for you.
Cheers.
DK

There seem to be a few around from my internet searches but I have read the same thing that they don't flower probably due to all the effort needed to reduce the leaves. Google images appear to show a few in flower so maybe you have to neglect them for a year or two to grow out.
I can always try anyway.

Jacarandah are difficult to layer for some reason, but grow from see easily and quickly. Have a look around the garden and you should find seedlings ready to collect.

The grow fast if let go and have many advantages ( and disadvantages as Bonsai) See mine in this thread here
viewtopic.php?f=129&t=5621

There is no Technical reason they will not flower in a pot and there have been soem shown in various places. As Bonsai they will Never flower because they only flower on the tips of new spring growth.
To keep a tree in shape we constantly cut that bit off and thus remove any possible flower buds at the same time.

Yep you can have a tree in a pot and flower, but not as Bonsai

Ken

[Starfox]

Cheers Ken, great tree you have.
I find that last image of the leaf comparison quite telling and a bit inspiring, the idea was fading on me a little.

Can't find any seedlings around, I think the old owners cut it right back every year as they realised it was too big for where they placed it so it probably never flowered or seeded.
To be honest I think eventually we will remove/relocate the tree while it is still manageable but would like to save something of it so I can grow it out for a few years and see.

ooh, while I'm here I have read of people using different types of plastic on their air layers from glad wrap to hard plastic, we just had a sofa delivered and now have an abundance of plastic sheeting. One type is kind of like those plastic bags you get your fruit in, clear and fragile but possibly stronger than glad wrap and the other type is a much sturdier slightly opaque but clear plastic, I think both would be good but is there an advantage of one over the other besides sturdiness?

[shibui]

I don't think it matters which plastic you use. Clear plastic makes it easier to see how roots are developing but not too difficult to open the top a bit and take a look if the cover is opaque. Some talk about covering to make it dark but in my experience roots seem happy to grow inside clear plastic. Direct sun could be an issue making it too hot?
Your plastic will be exposed to the sun and wind for several months so it does need to be durable. I made the mistake of using biodegradable supermarket plastic bags once. The disintegrate within a few weeks The plastic from your sofa will probably not be UV stable. It will probably last longer than a week but might not last the distance outside. If you use it and it does start to break up just wrap a new layer around the whole thing. No need to remove the degraded stuff first.