Air Layer Demo

Rene_Voortwist

I think for the same reason as grafting this acer in the first place..

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D3rutat

i think that this might sound noobish, but as far as i know, the Shishigashira was grafted on a another acer to give it more vigour?So by airlayering Above the graft line you would still be left with a Shishigashira but with less vigour, right?That's why he HASN'T grafted above the graft line. Am i right? Thanx

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Carl_Bergstrom

Which is...?



I don't know for certain, but I don't buy it. My sense is that shishigashira and other maple cultivars are usually grafted because it is a fast efficient propagation method with high success rate, not because shishigashira and other cultivar roots are no good. Yes, many cultivars are less vigorous in their growth habit, and indeed one doesn't defoliate palmatum cultivars for this reason, but I don't think this is prohibitive with regard to root systems!

If there is any difference in the strength of the root systems, I would think that it would be unlikely to play a major role in bonsai culture. Stronger roots might speed early development in the ground, and they might help survival for a garden plant, but they hardly compensate for the aesthetic cost of an obvious grafting scar on the trunk.

The only reason I can think of to do this is if Shishigashira doesn't layer well, and since I'm about to take a layer to get rid of the graft scar on what otherwise is a very nice little shishigashira shohin, I was wondering if this could be the case. Does anyone have any first-hand experience layering shishigashira?

Best regards,
Carl

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ChrisM

rene, thanks for posting this, it has not only shown a good air layer technique, but an alternative to ground layering when the proposed layer area is that close to the soil. i think i may try that instead of a ground layer on a tree that i have wanted to layer. thanks again for a great thread.

chris

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TreeBay

In our club, we always called the method described above (with the fence on the soil) ground layering, perhaps incorrectly, but it isn't really an air layer either, for there is no air.

This PDF actually describes SIX types of layering but it doesn't address ground layering and calls it simple layering.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-1.pdf

Regards,

Matt

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Rene_Voortwist

Matt,

If I read your PDF correctly (great info by the way , thanks !! ) then what was demonstrated is "mound layering". I dunno, we call it "marcotteren" regardless of where you do it...

Carl,

Bart told us that these maples are grafted because they have a weak root system of their own. They are grafted on a "normal" japanese maple to take advantage of the strong roots of that species. If you would layer above the graft you would get roots of the top plant which are weak and slow growing. You normally don't layer to get rid of a ugly graft. But of course you could still try too see what happens. I'd be interested in the results !

regards, René

Darren

I agree with Carl Bergstrom. I believe most maples are grafted because it is the most efficient method to propagate and keep plant characteristics such as leaf color. Especially with dissectum, because they are hard to propagate from cutings with commercial success. I have a green dissectum grafted on a green trunk, and eventually I will try to air layer this above the graft. I also have a crimson queen that I am now air layering above the graft because I cant imagine doing it any othe way.

Carl_Bergstrom

Rene,

My understanding is that in Japan, many high quality maples - often named cultivers including Shishigashira - were originally layered. I might guess that this weak-roots business is a myth, at least for maples. For example, I have a beautiful A. P. yuri hime on its own root stock, purchased from Bonsaitalk member Brent Walston ( www.evergreengardenworks.com ). Strong, healthy, lovely roots.

Darren,

Let us know how your layer works out!

With my best regards,
Carl

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ChrisM

thanks matt, i will have to read the pdf file later this evening, none the less, it is a great technique that would not be too difficult to accomplish.

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!