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jevs Yellow Belt

Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Lewes, East Sussex

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Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 9:53 am Post subject: Air layering |
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I used to work as a propagator for a nursery but i never really got into air layering. I've seen it mentioned on here and i looked it up in some books but it was a bit vague.
So can anyone put a definitive list of plants that can be successfully air layered and are suitable for bonsai.
Also, best methods and time of year etc would be most helpful.
Many thanks in advance
Andy |
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Dick Black Belt

Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 8803 Location: Western New York State, USA - Zone 4b

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Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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| Most (if not all) deciduous trees can be air layered from my knowledge. Broad leaf evergreens respond well. Needled evergreens ar a little more finicky, with pine being the most difficult, With pines, the conditions must be absolutely perfect ot they just don't seem to take. That's why commercial growers will often graft pines since it is so much easier and faster. As for the time to the year, I have air layered trees from early spring through early summer with success. |
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jevs Yellow Belt

Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Lewes, East Sussex

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Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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So, are the plants that i list suitable for this.
Larch species, metasequoia, Acer palmatum (and cv's), Picea sp, Junipers and Circis.
These are a few of the plants that i have earmarked in the garden i work in.
Many thanks
Andy |
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Stymie Black Belt

Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 9646 Location: S.Yorks.UK Zone 8a

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Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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They're all worth trying Andy. The Metasequoia may be reluctant.
Anything which will grow from cuttings will allow a thicker branch to be propagated by air layering, thus getting a more mature appearance earlier. It is adviseable in my experience, to leave the layer attached to the parent plant until you are sure that sufficient roots have developed to easily support the new plant/tree. |
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LGTilley Yellow Belt

Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire

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Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 1:58 am Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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| jevs wrote: |
So can anyone put a definitive list of plants that can be successfully air layered and are suitable for bonsai. |
There's a list of specific air layering methods for different species in this article: http://www.my-bonsai.com/en/air_layering.1.htm |
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m5eay Yellow Belt

Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 103 Location: Westbury

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Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 11:08 am Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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I wonder if anyone has tried an air layer on Prunus mume? I did one this year, and am wondering if it is likely to be successful or am I wasting my time? I have read various articles and books,both on airlayering and the Japanese Apricot and cannot find any specific information.
Geoff |
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GioGio Yellow Belt

Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 90 Location: East London

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Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 11:26 am Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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| Also, can a main trunk be air layered? I have a paul scarlett Hawthorn grafted on to a common hawthorn. I would like to get rid of the scar and was thinking about an air layer directly above the this. Would it be possible? Want cutting through the whole circumference of the bark kill the tree? |
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m5eay Yellow Belt

Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 103 Location: Westbury

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Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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I don't think that you would kill the tree by cutting right around the circumference, that is the way I did the air layer. Also one of the tips I got was to use clear plastic and the black plastic, that way I can open up the black to see if there are any roots without disturbing it.
Geoff. |
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GioGio Yellow Belt

Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 90 Location: East London

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Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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Thanks, might just give it a go this weekend.
Giogio |
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peanuts1gang White Belt

Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 30

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Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 4:42 am Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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| soo what does air layering exactly do? |
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jevs Yellow Belt

Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Lewes, East Sussex

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Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 7:02 am Post subject: Re: Air layering |
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| peanuts1gang wrote: |
| soo what does air layering exactly do? |
It's basically taking a cutting of a plant but whilst the cutting is still attached to the parent plant.
So you take a branch of a tree or shrub...preferably not too thick (around 1") and one which has nice shape or good potential for bonsai and strip a section of bark away. The wound is then wrapped up with a plastic bag and filled with compost/moss and allowed to root.
Voilla, instant tree.
Does anyone know if Cryptomeria japonica will air layer well ?
Andy |
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