Air layering, two methods

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 1:19 pm

I have done two air layers in the first week of November (Cup day), now Australia day (tomorrow) it is time to cut.
Both trees were similar in size and health, one Seiju elm, one chinese elm.

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The seiju had some problems when soil washed out exposing some of the layer, the chinese was wrapped in foil (over the clear plastic) because the roots grow away from the light foil is easily unwrapped to check progress.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 1:26 pm

Because the seiju layer was exposed for a short time one side produced few roots but in general the roots were reasonably strong

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Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 1:35 pm

The chinese elm had many more roots which were more delicate

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Separating these delicate roots from the spagnum moss always frightens me but after a soak in seasol and picking the moss with tweezers I managed to straighten and clean these roots.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 1:42 pm

I think the seiju base will make a nice shohin broom, I now have four projects which are all better than the original two!

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MattA · Post by **MattA** » January 25th, 2011, 1:44 pm

Nice photo series and resulting trees, thanks heaps Gerard.

I am interested to see where you go with the seiju's, I love them.

Matt

Scott Martin · Post by **Scott Martin** » January 25th, 2011, 1:47 pm

Gerard,

Great job. Is it possible to leave the sphagnum moss on the roots or must it be taken off?

Cheers,

Scott

bodhidharma · Post by **bodhidharma** » January 25th, 2011, 1:58 pm

nitram72 wrote:Gerard,

Great job. Is it possible to leave the sphagnum moss on the roots or must it be taken off?

Cheers,

Scott

I always leave my Spagnum moss on and hose it off when i repot the tree next potting season. I dont think there is a hard and fast rule on this just personal preference. Some more trees to work on Gerard. Whoopee

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 2:05 pm

MattA wrote:Nice photo series and resulting trees, thanks heaps Gerard.

I am interested to see where you go with the seiju's, I love them.

Matt

Thanks Matt,
I think this seiju was the biggest bargain ever,
BSV sale day May 2010 $15

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That makes $7.50 each

BirchMan · Post by **BirchMan** » January 25th, 2011, 2:14 pm

wow, real bargain there.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » January 25th, 2011, 2:27 pm

thanks Gerard great thread great looking trees excellent pic's

alpineart · Post by **alpineart** » January 25th, 2011, 3:28 pm

Nice job Gerard , 2 for the price of one is the only way too go .I have to agree with Bodhi in reguards to removing the spagnum moss . The new roots are too fragile to warrant the risk of snapping some of them off .The moss will be almost compost by next potting season and no risk .Cheers Alpine

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 6:59 pm

I think you are right Alpine and Bodhi, I am too keen to achieve a nice radial root spread and as a result I take unnecessary risks with these delicate roots. Potting season is only a few short months away and the roots can be repositioned then.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » January 25th, 2011, 6:59 pm

thanks

Kyushu Danji · Post by **Kyushu Danji** » January 25th, 2011, 8:35 pm

Hey those roots on your layers are fantastic Gerard. I hope mine end up like that..I will certainly take your advice about timing in the future!

boom64 · Post by **boom64** » January 25th, 2011, 9:11 pm

Hi Gerard ,
Thanks for the pictorial, allways great to see how other people do things.Books can only guide but to see is another matter. I also cleaned up the roots of spagnum moss on mine.I like Alpineart and bodhidharma advice about leaving the roots untouched . It sure would help keep the heart rate down

Regards John.

AusBonsai

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