Air layer a maple

[Chris H]

Back in November I was looking at this fella and decided it was time to get him out from the back of the benches and see what I should do.
Been with me for about 15 years now and was given to me by a friend when it was a chopstick. Some years its been so badly treated it is amazing that it survived.

This photo is before digital cameras.

scan0014.jpg

And this is how it looked when I decided there was just too much long straight trunk.

DSC_0341_002.JPG

After searching through the archives here I decided to try using tile spacers under the bark and sphagnum moss with a pot tied around the trunk.

PB070805_005.JPG

DSC_0340_001.JPG

When I cut off the pot today I was pretty happy.

DSC_0344_003.JPG

DSC_0349_006.JPG

Time for the chop!

DSC_0346_004.JPG

One unexpected element is that the roots have formed above the cut in the bark, so my new tree is a little shorter than id imagined. Not a bad thing, just not what Id imagined.

DSC_0353_007.JPG

Thanks to Ausbonsai for all the advice Ive now got two great potential trees where once I had a too tall stick.

[Greth]

Congrats on a successful layer, now you will be wanting to do them all over the place!

[Chris H]

theres a hibuscus out the front thats going to have a pot taped around it in the morning!

Great big red flower.

hibiscus.JPG

[Greth]

Ive got a melaleuca in need of major trimming anyway, but gonna wait till the weather is more reasonable, its really punishing out here in Summer.