AusBonsai

I am considering applying an air layer to a crabapple. Am I foolish to try it with the heat approaching, and if so, what would be the best month for maximizing my chances of success. How long should the layer be left on the host tree.....is three months too long?

Cheers Cactuscandy

I have had one on now for a couple of months
there is a post here from me about it somewhere. it is about 3 - 4 inches across so dunno how it will go

Will have a look soon to see

Ken

Three months should not be too long I guess. Mine is just over 8 weeks and hasn't got a lot of roots yet. Maybe because I left too many fruits on. I just removed them this afternoon and counted that I have left over 40 fruits above the layer. I'm expecting to remove it in 4 more weeks. I'm looking forward to hearing about others' experiences too.

Many thanks Ken I have found your previous posting and will be awaiting further updates on your progression with great interest.
I am planning to apply my airlayer tomorrow above the grafted area. Hopefully March will be heading into the cooler times.

Cheers Cactuscandy

cactuscandy2004 wrote:Many thanks Ken I have found your previous posting and will be awaiting further updates on your progression with great interest.
I am planning to apply my airlayer tomorrow above the grafted area. Hopefully March will be heading into the cooler times.

Cheers Cactuscandy

Cool
Post some photos when you do it too please
Ken

The best time to layer Crab apple is early summer. It should take 3 to 4 months longer if it is cooler which I believe it will by like Perth soon in SA so it will be warmer.

Kvan if I were you I would take all the fruit of. Trees reproduce though there fruit which takes a lot of energy from the tree.
Putting more stress by air layering is frought with danger.

Cheers Pup

Thanks Pup. I just ran out and take them down. It is my first and only cabapple tree so I wanted to see the fruits matured after flowering. It appears a silly thing to do. Let's hope that it will develop more roots soon.

kvan64 wrote:Thanks Pup. I just ran out and take them down. It is my first and only crabapple tree so I wanted to see the fruits matured after flowering. It appears a silly thing to do. Let's hope that it will develop more roots soon.

Dan Barton in his book shows a beautiful one full of flowers. Then fruit magnificent red then along side the picture is this.

Unfortunately the fruit was left on for too long which overtaxed the tree's reserves and it died the following spring.

He then says after a week or two's enjoyment of the fruit it would be wise to prune about two thirds of the crop.

If you get the opportunity to read his book it is page 65.

It is called the Bonsai Book by Dan Barton

ISBN 0 85223 742 1

A very good and informative book
Cheers Pup

Thanks for all the advice and info Pup. Much appreciated.

Success might depend on the variety. Years ago I tried layering one above the graft and couldn't get roots at all. In the end I grafted new roots around the trunk where I wanted the new root system. That worked better for me on that tree.
In general spring/ early summer appears good for air layering. Roots appear on many within weeks and they can sometimes be removed after 6-8 weeks but this depends on species, conditions and how good your aftercare will be. Layers on Japanese maples here have small roots after 3 weeks.
Other growers in this area leave layers on the tree until they are dormant and the layered area is really full of roots. There really isn't one prescription that fits all growers, species and locations. If you decide to open the layered area to check root development be really careful as the new roots can be very brittle and break off easily.
Good luck with the layers and keep us informed on progress.