Okay, I'm currently growing two Delonix Regia "Royal Poinciana" and have decided that I let them get WAY too tall
.. I started them from seed about 8 months ago and they now have over a foot of bare trunk. The first 8 or so inches has very nice taper, but after that it is kinda messy. I was going to chop one of them and see what happened but I've decided to do an Air Layering experiment instead
.. I've never done this before however, I'm growing these trees for the purpose of experimenting so, what's the loss if it doesn't work out, I'll just chop it..
Judging from other saplings in my grow room that I've been repotting, they are probably nearing root-bound stage and I figured that this might even Aid my air-layering attempt.
What I've done: I removed the cambium from about an Inch of trunk (leaving a small 1/8th inch bridge, dusted with rooting hormone and have placed dampened shredded sphagnum over the area zip-tied in place with plastic.
This tree is being grown in my indoor grow room (60-80deg F) (70-80% Humidity), it's being kept with several other trees on a "gorilla" type rack system with pool liner being used as a shelf sized humidity tray, with drain. There are 3 dual lamp fluorescent fixtures using full spectrum lamps(I know I could always have more light, but this combination has been sufficient so far(supplemental light is provided by a window)..
I know experience with this species is sparse, but If anybody has any suggestions or comments, please feel free.
I'll provide pictures soon.