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How To Air Layer

Air Layering A Brazilian TRaintree Bonsai

Air layering is a relatively easy way to obtain good bonsai stock for many
types of trees. Usually any well developed branch can be layered to
produce a new bonsai from a parent plant. This is also a good way to
assure you do not transfer soil born pests such as nematodes
to your new bonsai. Here I will show how to air layer a bonsai tree. I am
working on the bottom branch of a Brazilian Raintree.

Air Layering 101
Step 1.

Using a sharp knife, cut through the bark to the heartwood of the tree at the section you want the new roots to grow. Take out strips around the branch.

Bark Cutaway fir air layer
Step 2.

I like to leave 3 or 4 stips of undamaged bark to serve as a bridge for nutrients just in case. Some people recommend cutting out the whole ring but I prefer to play it safe.

Brush on rooting hormone
Step 3.

Now, Brush on some rooting hormone to jumpstart the process.

Wrap with spaghnum moss
Step 4.

Next, soak enough sphagnum moss to completely wrap the branch. Now, wrap the sphagnum moss around the branch, which will provide just the right conditions for new roots to grow and thrive.

Wrap air layering with bubble wrap
Step 5.

Cut a piece of bubble wrap or plastic wrap to size and wrap it around the sphagnum moss sealing it inside. This will help it stay in place and retain moisture.

Tie off ends of bubble wrap
Step 6.

Now, use some training wire or wire ties to seal around each end of the plastic or bubble wrap. Try to not leave any exposed sphagnum moss which will evaporate moisture.
 

apply tourniquete to branch below air layering
Step 7.

Finally, you should wrap another piece of wire tightly around the branch just below the layering to choke off nutrients and force the tree to produce new roots to survive. This will cause the branch to eventually swell and help to create a nice nebari later.

 

 

How To Air Layer Larger Trees

Air Layering a larger tree

Here I will demonstrate a good method for air layering larger trees. Larger
stock enables you to add automatic irrigation and more soil which will not
dry out as fast. Here I am working with a Ligustrum tree but, this technique
works very well for most species.

nursery pot cut to fit
Step 1.

First, find an old nursery pot big enough to allow roots to grow. Now, cut it on one side all the way to the center and then cut out a circle the diameter of the trunk to be air layered.

apply tourniquete to air layer bottom
Step 2.

Place a tourniquete around the trunk just below the point you want to layer. (See step 7 above) Leave the excess as this will become a seat for the pot.

cut away bark
Step 3.

Using a sharp knife, remove most of the bark around the trunk just above the tourniquete leaving a couple of bridges as in step 2 above.

Applying rooting hormone to air layer
Step 4.

Now brush on some rooting hormone powder to stimulate new roots to grow. Try to keep the powder as dry as you can for the first few hours, this will give it time to do its job before it is rinsed away by watering.

Attach nursery pot to tree
Step 5.

Place the pot around the tree and secure with wire any way you can to hold it in place. Try not to move the pot until new roots are well developed.

Fill around trunk with spaghnum moss
Step 6.

Fill in around the trunk and bottom of pot with sphagnum moss. This will hasten root development and keep soil from falling out of your pot.

Fill rest of pot with nursery soil
Step 7.

Fill in the rest with a good potting soil or garden soil with nutrients. This will tease the tree into making new roots to take advantage of them. At this time I installed a drip irrigation line to the pot. This is the best way to insure it will not dry out.

Wrap with plastic wrap to finish air layer
Step 8.

Wrap the whole thing with plastic wrap to hold everything in place and retain moisture. Ddo not seal the bottom as you still want to have good drainage.

 It will be necessarry to leave the pot undisturbed for a year or so (the longer the better) until roots have sufficiently developed.

 

Thank You for visiting and I hope you find this information useful.

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