bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Air-layering Chinese Elm.... Maximum Thickness?

If you start right now, you should have roots by July. Whether or not I would sever it this year would be up to you. I wait till the next spring to sever the ones I do.

Be sure to let the cut dry a day or two before wrapping with moss or soil. Make sure the peel area is large enough, and make sure you use fresh hormone.

Elm layers can be taken as large as your wrist. You could do them even larger if you wanted. I have heard as large as 6" across. Though I would not want a tree this large. Way expensive pot!

I did one this last year from the top of a bonsai. The roots never formed. I waited till July when it was dorment again due to heat, re peeled the area, scraped it white again, re-hormoned it, and I had roots in a month. I severed it in Nov.

Good luck, Bonsai-al

22-Feb-2004	#2
bonsaial1 Greybeard Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Fresno, CA Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 13SH Posts: 5,247	If you start right now, you should have roots by July. Whether or not I would sever it this year would be up to you. I wait till the next spring to sever the ones I do. Be sure to let the cut dry a day or two before wrapping with moss or soil. Make sure the peel area is large enough, and make sure you use fresh hormone. Elm layers can be taken as large as your wrist. You could do them even larger if you wanted. I have heard as large as 6" across. Though I would not want a tree this large. Way expensive pot! I did one this last year from the top of a bonsai. The roots never formed. I waited till July when it was dorment again due to heat, re peeled the area, scraped it white again, re-hormoned it, and I had roots in a month. I severed it in Nov. Good luck, Bonsai-al __________________ Real men don't wear coats with "happi" in the title.