These are some brief notes on how to propagate a plant by a process called "air layering." _This will eventually become an illustrated article on the TreeBay website.
REASONS FOR LAYERING
Layering is performed to propagate material, to take advantage of interesting or pleasing forms, or to improve the rootage of a tree. _Layering is an easy way to create "perfect rootage" on a tree with a one-sided or unattractive root system.
HISTORY OF LAYERING and GROUND LAYERING:
Layering is a process used to induce roots to grow on a mature branch. _The process of layering was probably developed in conjunction with hedging. _Hedges of boxwood, privet or thorns were a convenient way to designate property boundaries, particularly in the absence of good material for fences.
"Ground"layering was performed by making a cut approximately 1/2 way through a low branch, wedging it open with a stone and pushing the wound area into the ground a foot or two away from the plant. _The branch produced roots at the wound site and so extended the length of the hedge by a couple of feet. _ In this way, a few plants spaced at regular intervals could serve as hosts to create a wide perimeter hedge over a number of seasons.
AIR LAYERING AND BONSAI
Air layering is a technique based on the same principles as ground layering, but the technique has been refined in such a way that it can be applied to branches in any position on the host tree. _ Some trees like wisteria and elm layer readily. _Others like pine and cedar are much slower at developing roots.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
In addition to a suitable host tree, you will need the following materials:
- Sharp knife
- Narrow bladed saw
- Canadian Sphagnum Moss
- Polyethelene sheeting, thick (clear plastic)
- twine
- bonsai wire]
- marking chalk
- rooting hormone
HOW TO CREATE A LAYER
To make an air layer, first determine an appropriate site. _Layer sites can be based on points of convenience or interest. _There is no physical limit to the size of a branch that can be layered successfully. _ Branches up to 12" across have been successfully layered.
Convenient sites are those that will be pruned away eventually anyway - to redesign the host tree or reduce its size, perhaps the top 1/3 of the tree is intended to be pruned away. _This may make a great small bonsai if it is instead layered.
Interesting sites might be areas on a bonsai, or even a yard or garden tree that has unique characteristics, such as:
- fast taper
- interesting curves
- unique species[*:c0cc3e2d3e]interesting forked branch arrangement, etc.
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