Removing Grafting Signs

duartix

Hi, say hello to this Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica pendula).

I have bought it about 6 weeks ago, transpotted it (no root pruning, just a faster soil mix for training) and pruned around 1/3 of the foliage.

The tree is quite healthy and is putting quite a lot of new growth for a connifer.

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duartix

As you can see from this next picture, the grafting is far too obvious.
Air layering is a must. It will also help developing good nebari.

My experience with connifers is very limited so I have a few questions:
How easy/fast do these trees layer?
Any other tricks besides taking out the bark and flooding it with rooting hormones?
Since the layer will only be about 5cm (2 inches) from the soil, still must I wrap it in sphagnum moss and use a plastic box around it?
Is it OK to air layer now in Spring?
Can I wire it at the same time or am I abusing?

Thanks.

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Ralph

You know one idea that will make it slightly easier for you, is that you don't necessarrily have to bag it up in the area where you will layer it. Rather you can take a seedling pot and remove the bottom from it. Place it right on top of the soil and fill your spagnum mix up in this pot after you have rung, and applied rooting hormone to your tree. Does this make sense. I wish I had a picture to show but I do not. You might inquire with Ripsgreentree or Al about this further. Both have done a number of layers since I have been on this site.

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D3rutat

Layering depends on species. I can' t tell you how fast it will but the easiest way is to use a transparent pot/plastic bag and you will see when the roots form

No there are no other tricks as far as i am aware of. Just cut a ring into the bark to the cambium and use rooting hormone

Spaghnum moss does a great job in keeping humidity and humidity is the key to succes here besides rooting hormone

Yes it's ok, but make sure it's kept in a sunny and warm place

You'd better take youre time and not wire it now

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Geodude

To air layer an Atlas Cedar I was told to:
Instead of cutting a ring of bark, cut windows.
Sphagnum moss or suspend a can and fill with soil.
Takes 2 years.

Mine died before the layering was completed.


Good luck.

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D3rutat

on yeah i forgot, i;'ve read that on conifers you must actually use a ring made out of wire and tie it until it bites the bark

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duartix

Thanks for your opinions but now I'm getting more confused. Wire ring, bark ring or windows?

@Geodude:
Did yours died from the air layering or was it something else?

D3rutat

here, take a read at it


http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/airlayer.htm
http://www.bonsaiprimer.com/creatin...g/layering.html
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATLayering.html

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D3rutat

but why are you so eager to do it? I mean, you can cover the graft by using the hammer method. Use a small hammer and hit the bark. This will destroy it and will force cambium formation which will thicken that area, but you must never hit more than 1/4 of the bark at a time. Did you understand ?

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