How to succesfully air layer trees | Two tips to avoid failure and explained on a Japanese Maple
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- Often when redesigning a tree, there is a need to remove large branches. Sometimes it is worth the effort to use air layering to create a new tree from the branch. Air ayering is a propagation technique where new roots are grown along a branch after which one can cut the branch off the tree, plant if up and have a second tree. (How to do the separation and pot them up see: • Potting up air layers ... )
In this video I will explain step by step how to air layer a Japanese Maple. How to create a second tree from the branch using this technique of growing roots on a trunk.
0:00 3 tree propagation techniques
0:30 Airlayering Fundamentals
1:02 Why I make slanted layer cuts
1:19 How does air layering work? Plant physiology behind air layering
1:53 How to stop the tree from bridging when airlayering
3:10 Airlayering. Rooting homes yes or no?
4:02 What substrate to use for air layering and why?
6:16 About schielding the airlayer against the sun
5:45 When to start air layers?
6:56 How does it take an air layer to produce roots?
7:03 Why airlayer trees?
Credits!
Succes sound effect from "Free Sounds Library" www.freesoundslibrary.com
Licence: License: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
Good explanations, Jelle. One thing that makes air layering much easier is ditching the plastic wrap for plastic spheres made for this purpose (search for "reusable plant rooting devices.") Plastic food tubs work almost as well by cutting notches through both sides for the trunk to path through, secure with tape, fill with sphagnum, and snap the lid on. I get rooting success with either sphagnum moss or bonsai soil. Also, in warm sunny places, air layers can fail due to drying out. To prevent this, first make a small hole in the top so water can be added when needed with a syringe, or even better, by inserting an irrigation emitter, and then cover the whole thing with aluminum foil. With these techniques, I get nearly "ready-made" juniper bonsai from fairly large branches styled before they are air-layered. Sorry for the long comment, but I thought people might find these tips useful.
Lol dry out? I never had an airlayer dry out And that is why we used plastic bag to get a tight seel and provent drying out. Easier is not allways better
Hi John, thank you for the tips. Later this year I will do a deshojo restyle video, on which I layer using an old pot filled with regular substrate which I water every time I water my trees. I prefer that over plastic wrap too. Sometimes it is however impractical. In this case I wanted to show the basic setup.
I have had them newrly dry out at the end of the layering. Once they start rooting the roots can quickly drain the water from the layer site. making sure ot is well watered I find important.
That's true, especially when you patiently wait for lots of roots to form. Drying out is also an issue here due to our annual 266 sunny days, low humidity, and 230mm of rain that comes only in the winter months.
@@GrowingBonsai i air layered a lot of integra salix and found it easiest to use clear plastic cups (rubbery ones as they don't break). I'd just staple the sides of the cup when i put it on and make sure the cup leans on another branch so it doesn't move. I'd just use any substrate I have at hand. I'd water it irregularly. 100% success but salix is stupid easy, it even rooted when i just wrapped it with clear sticky foil for bugs. This year I'm gonna try japanese maples for the first time
Another easy to understand and informative video Jelle. Great stuff!
thank you! Great to hear this content is well received!
Really loving your videos! I like how you explain slow enough for us to understand. ❤
Haha, you misunderstand.. I go slow so I understand 🤪
To the point, informative and instructive, love this video!
Excellent presentation, first class, and a good tip tying the bottom of the plastic making a bag out of it for the sphagnum moss. Thankyou
Thank you for your kind words Lufe!
Great explanations no nonsense enjoyed your vlog very much. Many thanks for your hard work and time in making such a great video.
Thank you so much for dropping this comment. It is feedback like this that make me feel it is worth the effort to make these videos. (Some of them have 20 hours of work in them). Great to hear!
You really covered all the bases. Thank you so much, i feel much more comfortable doing this for the first time🌱
I'm so glad! Love to hear how this works out for you!
Excellent! I will follow this meticulously this coming spring. Thank you very much.
Wonderful! Good luck! :)
Great video and very good explanation! I have successfully airlayerd my bougainvillea, wisteria Last year and my dawn redwood callused over the first two times, this year I got it right. It’s real satisfying when you got it! Keep growing 👍👏👍
Hi Wouter, it is nice to see the new roots, isnt it!?
This video is the first one I have watched on this topic of why air layering works on a hormonal basis. it always seemed counterintuitive to remove the cambium layer and interesting that the roots generate from the bark. Very cool!
Glad it brought you something new!
Best explanation on Air Layering!
Thanks very much for the clear explanation. I had a go last, late summer to do multiple layerings of Fagus Incisa [Feathered or cutleaf beech] Its quite a rare tree but suitable for the larger bonsai, we think. While the ground layerings have taken, my first attempts of air layerings dont seem to have taken yet....I am waiting for the first buds to break for my next attempt. We are in north Lancashire UK so that will be mid April . I have tried sphagnum moss with rooting compound powder and shallot ! ... I now have gel ready for the next attempt!
fingers crossed!
Air layering on my Bloodgood acer started today. Fingers crossed!! 🤞
Thanks for the advice and guidance!
I’m starting mine today, too.
very educating and great presentation, thank you
Glad to hear it! Now of to the garden and try it yourself?!
Clear and concise explanation. Brilliant. Continuing to fine-tune my techniques through these demonstrations. (The devil is in the detail and many of those details were covered here). Many thanks.
Ohhww.. Thank you! Which details were particularly interesting for you ?
Great Video! I am currently at sub 50% success rate with air layering. This video will encourage me to keep working on it!
ohw, that is not too great! Hope your stats improve!
Thanks Jelle, this video answers a question I asked in another one of your videos.
Happy to help!
Really enjoyed that video Jelle well explained and the quick change of clothes was quicker than superman 🦸♂️ lol 😆...
yes, sorry.. Sometimes you are editing and realize you miss stuff... I do not plan out the content well enough!
Thanks for sharing. Failed last year. Will try again next year with your tutoring.
keep in mind that not all cultivars root easily. Some take in what feels like days. Others need months! I jave not found clear info on whoch do and which dont unfortunately
Great information thank you
Glad it was helpful! Hope you are also succesfull layering!
Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ!!
Very well explained 👍👍
Thank you 🙂
Excellent! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great job Jelle!
hey Jay, good to see you here. I doubt you needed any help there though :)
@@GrowingBonsai We can all only get better with practice! 😀
Hey Jelle, great video, really like your channel and the clear concise style of your videos, keep up the great work. For the first time in several years I’ve had a bunch of my air layered branches simply die, I propagate a lot and have never seen this? The air layer point turned black with-in several days and the branches died - any insight from a fellow propagation guy?
to be honest.. Not really! Did you leave part of the debarked area uncovered? Maybe that dried out killing it? Maybe cut too deep in the wood? Just throwing some thoughts out tbh..
Thanks for sharing.
very welcome!
Thank for sharing brother🙏
very welcome! Hope it helps you!
Genau so hab ich vor 5 Wochen den unterarmdicken Stamm aus meinen Ahorn, vorne im Beet, neben dem Arakawa, behandelt. In 2 bis 3 Wochen schaue ich mir das Ergebnis an.
ohw.. In 1 bis 2 wochen komme ich mit eine Sage vorbei!
@@GrowingBonsai dann stehe ich solange Wache
@@theoschmitt3037 haha
Ive been doin airlayers for a while with both pine & broadleaf,so what i done so that my roots remained horizontal was using a round disc of plastic or bottom of a plastic pot & attach it under were the roots will form so that my roots will remain horizontal & better radial roots!
Hey Star Bell, thank you for your input. I know the technique, but I have never really seen the need for it. How big of a difference is it making for you?
@@GrowingBonsai it shortens the time in which you still have to develope nebari (root flare) ,it works & ive seen on some other sights of others using this method.But each 2 there own im just giving you other ideas whivh may help you!!!Cheers mate!!!!
Great vid Jelle. I do excactly as you but I have never succeded. I am not giving up, one day it will succeed.😀👍
Try a plastic pot and water it normaly. Soil mix 50 % moss, 50 % akadama and wait a year, from spring to spring.
@@BONSAIenCORTO Thanks for your advice. I guess you are in a warm and dry environment? Up here keeping the substrate wet is not a problem. Akadama breaks down to mush in winter so I have stoped using it. Every try have calloused over totally before summer, so I guess I need to scrape more/deeper.
Hello again!! Have you seen Sam’s latest air-layering vid on Nillys Bonsai n Gardening? Genius!! (my word for the day!) ✌️
strange! how wide do you make the cut?
@@GrowingBonsai I make the cut around twice the diameter of the branch/trunk to airlayer.
thanks well explained air-layring
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for another helpful video Jelle.
Can I ask for a link or a name for the knife you used in the video please? Most of the sliding knives I can find here in the UK only have smaller 9mm blades and it's not so easy to cut around branches with these as they flex so much.
have a look for carpet knife, i think they are called. Mine has replacable blades and the grip is just that, a grib. Mine is a nobrand knife. Stanley makes these too, but the grip is much bigger.
Brilliant, thank you for the help Jelle. Really appreciated.
Do you have a video of when the roots have emerged and how you cut and plant the branch? That would be helpful. Thanks
At your service th-cam.com/video/8xlNdEq_r6g/w-d-xo.html
Easier demonstrated than done.
I like your explanation about the need for oxygen contact to the rooting area.
Presently I am using partially rotted wet straw on a 2 inch thck Mulberry tree. . I will try another one using foam rubber. And I will get me some that saguaro peat moss
From other channel experiments root grow better in light than dark and I have made some airlayers using clear plastic and clear packaging tape . Experienced successful airlayers practioners typically wrap aluminum foil around the plastic airlayer envelope . I'm experienced but not successful at airlayer So I can't follow your method to the letter . .
Thanks for showing us your method. I learn from you and others
Hi Robert, that sounds interesting. Are you recording your experiments?
Which site showed better layering results in the light than in the dark? Would be keen to look at that!
@@GrowingBonsai I will get it for you. It's soft wood cutting hold on. TECHPLANT channel
@@GrowingBonsai here is the channel . He does softwood cuttings . I do mostly hard wood cutting and airlayering as well as other layering but like your presentation he empathize the importance of oxygen in the roots which many youtube presenter don't mention .
th-cam.com/video/e5NNJs4FCTw/w-d-xo.html
@@robertbrawley5048 OK, found this video. I think what he is showing is that providing light to the cutting is causing better growth, not that light to the rooting area causes the extra growth?
@@GrowingBonsai
th-cam.com/video/e5NNJs4FCTw/w-d-xo.html
At the 5:30 his narration says more roots and longer roots for the roots development . What I saw the development of the roots look about the same.
Nice explanation. When is a good time to harvest it. I have a maple airlayer with roots now. We are in late summer. Is it advisable to remove it now or will I wait for spring? I am in Australia.
I separate as soon as they have roots. Have you seen the follow-up video on succesfull separation of airlayers?
Great video! Just a question: What type of Japanese maple did you do the demo on? The one with the beautiful pink/red leaves?
No idea! I picked it up wothout a nametag!
Edit: you answered at the end! Thanks fot the video - What time of year should this be done in? Or what times should be avoided?
Normally you do this once the trees have started to grow in spring. After mid-summer you are too late.
Hello Jelle, very nice video ! I made some air-layers on my japanese maples in late july. Is it safe to remove them (if they have rooted) during september/october or is it too late? (I live in the North of France). Thanks !
Hey Snejinka, you are so goign to like my video next week: "How to plant an airlayer so it survives"! As for your exact question: I ant to plant things not later than 6-8 weeks before the first frost date. In my opionion that leaves enough time to get settled in the pot!
@@GrowingBonsai Haha, well I can't wait to watch that video. Thank you very much !
Great video Jelle! 😊 How many cm is the thinnest Japanese maple branch you can airlayer? Thanks
Not sure. Smallest I have done was half a cm.
@@GrowingBonsai super, 🙏
Hoi ik stel mijn vraag even in het Nederlands en en Engels. Je mag in het Engels beantwoorden hoor
Zeer goede en duidelijke video. Echter een vraag, maakt het uit waar je begint met het verwijderen van de bast. Ik bedoel daarmee beginnen onder een uitschietende tak en zo ja hoeveel cm onder die tak moet je dan beginnen?
Very good and clear video. One question though, does it matter where you start removing the bark. By that I mean start under a sprouting branch and if so how many cm below that branch should you start?
As far as I know, it does not matter. I pick a spot that fits with the shape for the envisioned tree (also, the angle at which you cut the bark = angle of planting foreseen!)
Enjoy your videos. I’m trying to air layer lions head maple. I did it mid May and used pro mix as grow medium plus covered with root tone. So far nothing. Can I start over in same cuts. Thank you.
Patience is a virtue. If it did not bridge, just let is sit.
I have done exactly as you did, I had no luck , around 6 times
thanks for your videos. Is there a season or time to air layer trees or type of species to do so. please advise. Pete Young
Normally in spring this is done.
Hi, Jelle! I recently started two air layers on two different Japanese maples. Where should I put the bonsai’s whilst the air layers are still on the parent bonsai? I’m trying to “play it safe” and have the bonsais in a shady area. How much sun exposure should I give them? I think I heard you say “full sun” in the video. Is that true? Give ‘em full sun? I let them get a few hours (2-3) of direct morning sunlight and then full shade the rest of the day. Can they handle more sun? Any and all info would be greatly welcomed and appreciated! Take care, Jelle, and happy bonsai!
I do keep mine in full sun. To the extend that they are on a bench that somewhere mid-afternoon drops in the shade as the sub moves over the edge of a shed.
Giving me the inspo to air layer my maple. Thank you
Go for it! Lots of luck!
Hadir nyimak kawan
thx!
Hi, great video! may I ask what is the name of that red japanese maple you were air alying? thank you!
Hi Mike, to be honest, I am not completely confident. It could be a Seigen, but because they are rare, I doubt whether it really is one.
@@GrowingBonsai thank you. I just think its such a vivid red color. Beautiful tree you have!!
@@mikelu4854 It is gorgeous isn't it!?
Nice
thank you!
I’m thinking about trying this with my lucky bamboo. I don’t intend to cut anything off though. I just want to help the main plaint grow more and produce more shoots. Do you know if this will work
I have no idea. Never heard of lucky bamboo.
Thanks Jelle, i have seen ppl have succes without cutting the bark. Do you think it takes longer that way..?
Yeah, and not all species root that way
@@GrowingBonsaii cut the cambium layers yesterday to be sure.
Can we use the same process to recreate a nebari higher in the tree? What happens to that zone if the air layer doesn't "stick"?
Yes, this is exactly the same. If the layer does not work, often it has callused over. If not callused over, eventually the top will die.
@@GrowingBonsai so if I try to make the nebari higher in the tree I can risk killing it?
How much do the leafs need to mature before air layering? Or can you make air layers as soon as the buds open? I'm eager to start air layering but the buds have just started to open here in southern Finland!
I normally wait for the foliage to extend a bit, like you can see in the video. It is said that you can layer before budbreak. I have tried once and did not notice the roots forming earlier, so in fact, the layering took longer and I not am back to when the plant is really growing. I just did my airlayers over the last 2 weeks, will put the last one for this year on today. I guess Finland by now should have pushing maples?
@@GrowingBonsai Thank you. Yes most species went to full leaf during this week, maples included. There are still some trees with buds just starting to open. I guess I'll be starting practising my first air layers this weekend with some unimportant trees that are fully in leaf.
@@JaniLaaksonen91 enjoy!
Hello, Jelle can you tell me what is the name of the Maple you are showing in this video with the red color, in what season this maple become so red? thank you.
Nope. It came to me without a variety designation and i have been unable to get it. Seigen has been mentioned.
My expirience is to cut the Ring below the Node makes more sense than to cut in area of internode...because roots will grow directly from the Node where the active zone lays 👍👍👍
Hi, this is really not my experience. I get roots to grow out of the bark just above the cut. Node or not.
@@GrowingBonsai
Ok ,it might depend on the species???
I have found this phenomen with Cornus Mas
Thanks for getting on the idea🤘🤘🤘
@@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371 perhaps. I have never tried cornus, so can't really tell. :)
@@GrowingBonsai
I have a piece of a failed Airlayering where it is clear why it failed from the internode...
Is there a certain time frame in which this process should be done based on the weather in your area
Normally you do this in mid-spring, after the first flush of leaves.
Jelle, one more question: june/july is ok to start air layering or is too late?
I usually think 6-8 weeks for the layer, and then 4-6 weeks post-separation to get established = first expected frost. So ~3 months till frost is the very latest I would start, but earlier is better as the tree has more time to get settled in.
Thank you
I guess we can also leave the layer connected until spring if we're air-layering late (in my case right now?). Have you done that before?
Indonesia bonsai present brother
welcome me friend!
So, take off the outer and inner bark and the cambium layers. That's clear. Short of making the tree structurally compromised, is it possible to remove too much? Can you take too much sapwood?
yes. You should not remove the wood, only the bark and cambium
@@GrowingBonsai Thanks
Seedling cutting or airlayer, and the one we all hate/dislike and will not use in bonsai the grafted maple
I do not like them either. There spme good examples of maples grafted with bonsai in mind which are less obvious though!
I tried mine and used moss from the garden, is spangnom moss differ. ?
It is. It seems to have desinfectant properties and stops fungi from growing. As well as having a very high water retention. I do not really like the stuff :)
Jelle, is this Bloodgood maple? Beutiful red color.
Hi JK, it certainly is not bloodgold. That is a lot duller, more red wine color. This is "seigen" or close to it.
@@GrowingBonsai beutiful color tho 👍
Should one use dried or fresh Spagnum moss?
Both would work
@@GrowingBonsai Thank you. This video is super helpful
@@MoebiusUK happy to hear!
How long will an air layer plant takes to fruit bro
If the parent plant was fruitong already, the next season or year thereafter is realistic to expect flowering
How do you know when to water?
I water when I water the rest of the plant if I use regular substrate for layering.
Should it be done right after leaves pop out in spring? Or some weeks later?
You kind of gave an answer: "early to late spring" - so I guess 2-4 weeks after leaves come out.
I have tried before leaves come out, and then it just takes longer. So yeah, once you have the first leaves on, untill sometime in the middle of summer is best.
@@GrowingBonsai Thank you
you said you water it but how often please?
I water when I water the tree itself too.
❤
:)
If air layering works then wouldn’t a cutting in the same spot work? I don’t understand the difference why one would work and the other not.
Good question. The main different is that the tree keeps supplying the airlayered part with water and nutrients during the layering process. So for weeks to months the part is well taken care off. Once you cut it off as a cutting, thats it. The part needs to survive on what is in there.
@@GrowingBonsai thanks for replying I have always wondered about that
Certain Japanese maples seem to be easier than others. I have a pine bark that will throw off roots if you sneeze on it and a mikawa yatsubusa that simply won’t take at all 😔
Agreed! Some species as well as varieties are really unwilling to play this game.
I tried air layering once and the plant was infected by the soil in the wound area
:( Too wet?
@GrowingBonsai no but I doubt the soil quality is behind it
Maybe put the container upside down on the root ball
Hi Devan, interesting thought. What benefit would that have for you?
Just FYI, 'baggie' is something only Americans say, it sounds really silly in British English, in British English, adding 'y'/'ie' to the end is something you do in baby talk for children, 'doggy', 'bunny', 'drinky', 'sweety' 'pinky', that one has nothing to do with the colour but, if you're German or Dutch you probably know that. It sounds horrible said to adults but, some Americans do it all the time. Nice Video. That Acer might be 'Pink Passion' or 'Phoenix'. I don't have either of those and photos can be deceptive as you know. By the way, I couldn't identify you from your accent at all. Are you Dutch? It's really hard to tell.
Thank you for the english class. One gets infected with the spreech surrounding him/her I suppose. My formal english classes are a few decades in the past. I am Dutch, live in Germany, but have lived on several continents and constantly work with people from around the world so possibly my accents has worn down a little bit.
whats your opinion on cutting the bark on an angle instead of straight across? Ive read that cutting angular has better results.
Cutting at an agle can help you create a nebari at an angle. I see no reason why the rooting would be better if you cut at an angle?