Air Layering?

[Deleted]

When is the best time of year to start an air layer, and when is the best time to cut it from the tree?

Thanks for reading.

[MikeH]

I'd love to find a good reference on the subject. Unfortunately, Michael Dirr doesn't cover the subject. What tree(s) are you trying to air layer?

I can't help you with your questions but here are some pix of a friend's fig that demonstrate a bit of technique.

[templeton]

Mike, I love the plastic bottle over the stem idea.
Years ago I did a bit of air layering on azaleas, we just cut the stem a bit, wedged it slightly apart, wrapped damp moss around the stem, then bound the whole lot with cling film.
T

[templeton]

I've just checked one of my old books "How to propagate plants' by Jack Plumridge, he notes that the Chinese had special pots with holes in the bottom to fit over the stems.
He recommends not to use big branches in an attempt to get big plants quickly.
Select a branch at spots close to the growing top. Cut half way through, and wedge open with a bit of sphagnum moss. Wrap with shagnum, then bind with polethene and tie tightly top and bottom with string. When layers have formed roots they can usually be seen through the polethene.


My guess is that you would layer when the plant is about to actively grow.

[bonsaioutlaw]

I start layers in the Spring or early Summer after the leaves have hardened off. I remove them around mid July to early August. There are several different techniques, but I have the best luck with the ring bark meathod. Cut a ring of bark off all the way around and then scrape the cambian layer off till you see white if it does not come off with the bark. Some trees need a little rooting hormone. Good Luck.

[Deleted]

I'm removing rings of bark, down to the woody layer, and the leaves have shown no sign of stress, even after several weeks.

Several layers of plastic wrap are being held on with zip ties.

The farmer was unable to get to pruning, this year, so welcomed me to take any switches, which might have been removed, anyway.

I'm air layering cherries, plums, persimmons, pomegranates, and pears.

I've become a big fan of figs, but they were simple enough to start in a pot of wet dirt.

My guess is that you would layer when the plant is about to actively grow.

This made sense to me, but it means separating the new plant, just as it is winding down for the year.