Air layering- seperation anxiety

hughie purcell · White Belt Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

Hello all. I have had an air layer on my salix since the end of last Spring. There's some great roots growing into the sphagnum and the tree is healthy, it has fresh growth under the layer too but I don't know when to separate it! It's watered regularly(both pot and moss layer), in partial sun and pretty well protected from wind. My feeling has been late winter, any advice would be appreciated. Oh, it's not a droopy willow, it's a normal tree looking willow! Pity the trunk was so long. My father had grown it in a pot years ago and the trunk is about 18".
Thank you all, hpurr Confused

Dick

Not to woory about separating it at this time of the year. If the roots are as you describe, then the roots are substantial enough to support the tree above the airlayer. Simply get a regiular garden pot and plant it in a soil that approximates bonsai soil. Be careful when transplanting not the break too many roots. Firm the soil around the tree. Stake the tree if necessary. Once potted, place it outdoors in a shady location for two to three weeks, water it as needed, and it should be fine. Then next spring, if you wish, you can repot it into a bonsai pot and begin the training of it.

hughie purcell · White Belt Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

Cheers for that Dick, I'll do that as soon as I return from my 3 weeks in Hawaii. Yeah, it's tough, I know!! Very Happy