Why is this happening???

[astroboy76]

Hi all. On the weekend I layered several branches of a big prunus mume I have. Today I noticed that the leaves on the layered branches are all starting to droop! I don't know why this is as I followed the layer technique perfectly and my elm worked fine. Any advise before it's too late?

[craigw60]

This is only a guess but it may be that the foliage is too soft and it would have been better to wait until early summer when the leaves have hardened off.
Craigw

[astroboy76]

Quite possibly although the mume flowered in winter so it has had growth for almost three months. If what ur suggesting is the cause is it temporary? Will the branches recover? Or will they die back now?

[kvan64]

I'm not sure but thinking of a couple posibilities:
1- lake of water (unlikely as you would have noticed and water them)
2- too sunny (same as above, you would have noticed and moved them)
3- medium used for airlayering is too "rich" of either salts, minerals and trace elements - osmosis.
4- you could have cut too deep into the woody part of the tree (xylem) and interupted the flow of water from roots?

Cheers,
DK

[astroboy76]

Well I don't think I cut too deep but not sure on that. Tree is under shade cloth and well watered. I use a syringe to water the moss. Am at a loss! Lol

[kvan64]

Is are there enough leaves under the layers? Any chance you could post a couple of pics? I could be just temperary and nothing to worry about too.

[astroboy76]

Out of 7 layers only three are ok. Most don't have leaves below the branches

[kvan64]

Good news is 3 of them are ok. That means the problem is not at the parent tree or its roots. As said, It could be just temperary. If the technique was done probably and the parent tree is healthy they should be ok.
DK

[astroboy76]

Has anyone else experienced this happening to them? All non layered branches are still flush with healthy growth

[astroboy76]

anyone? hehehe

[Dumper]

not sure.

but trying to work the logic. if the tree receive too much water. it droops too.
when air layering. the amount of water need on the layer medium has to be moist but not soaking wet.

what method did u use? plastic wrap?

if so. take a sharp knife and poke a couple of holes. if there's too much water it will leak out which is fine.

too much. not good. too little not good too

[Mitchell]

That's happened to me before, when I have left too much foliage to be supported by too little root system on the air-layer.

[astroboy76]

Hmmm but I have just put the layers on the tree. They aren't removed yet. I also trimmed the foliage as well

[kvan64]

If all the leave above the layering point droop, I would be worried. If only the young leaves/shoots are drooping, it's not too much of a problem. Hardwood and semi hardwood branches/stems have the structural support by the fibrous system (phloems). The younger shoots/stems are not fully developed and usually erect by plant cells inflated with water. When water supply from roots is somewhat restricted by the deep cut into woody part, the plant cells in younger shoots/stems shrink and the leaves droop.
I would always pinch of the young shoots/stems of the airlayers.
Cheers,
DK

[Mitchell]

Hmmm but I have just put the layers on the tree. They aren't removed yet. I also trimmed the foliage as well

I read your post twice before commenting too.



Try this, take a deep breath hold it for 40 seconds, cover your mouth with your hand, then try to exhale through your mouth.

Comfortable?

Take special care of your plant at this stage, all should be fine.