Propagation Questions

mgodbee

Have some questions about propagation. I have practiced bonsai for a while and I have done a few cuttings here and there and a few air layers so I am pretty wise on the basics. That said, I want to start propagating a lot of cuttings, and I want to start doing lots of air layers on field grown trees. So if you guys could help me with a few questions, that would be fantastic.

1. Best soil for cuttings. I have used Peat and Vermiculite in the past, but really have got only about a 50% success rate, and sometimes lower. Is there a better mixture I could use?

2. On a large tree, how many air layers can I do at one time? I have done 3-4 at a time before but that was branches. I am specifically asking about layering a trunk, one on top of another... All decidious trees.

3. How difficult is it to get a black pine to ground layer? I have seen a beautiful tree at a nursery that is only 40 bucks. This tree is fantastic, but the trunk goes from about 2 inches thick at the soil to literally about an inch thick below the soil. The upper roots are literally about 4 inches under the soil. If it is possible, then I would easily buy it. Plus, if i did it, could I expect a lot of foliage dieback. The tree is prettier than any I have seen at bonsai nurseries around here and WAYYYYY cheaper, but the inverse taper at the very bottom is severe. From what I understand on pines you should use the tourniquet method or just cut out notches, but I have never tried it on a conifer.

4. What is the best rooting horomone to use? I have used roottone in the past

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soonami

For rooting cuttings, I have found that soils with less organics are better. I root cuttings in a mix of about 75% coarse sand and 25% potting soil (half each of peat and perlite)

And I use .1% IBA in talc, I forget the brand, but I remember the hormone strength. I've had success with Serissa, chinese Junipers, Azaleas and are working on assorted maples now

I haven't tried parallel air layers on the same trunk, but something tells me that the top one would do the best and depending on the lower branching be increasingly weaker in formation.

Also, I haven't tried ground layering a pine, but from what I read they are almost impossible to callus (because of the resinous sap) and to prompt subsequent rooting.

bmbeyond

I have great luck with regular potting mix mixed with sand. I have rooted many maples, ficus, serissa, juniper. you name it. if you can figure out when to take your cutting you have won half the battle already. for example in my area I have had the most luck with maple cuttings if I start them this time of year. ficus and other tropicals I do any time successfully.