Not so bright move

yohann976

As the title suggests, I made a not so bright move. I decided to do an airlayer on my Brazilian Raintree over the winter. Indoors, it is under 110 watt CF lighting by a South facing window. I choose a lower branch close to the pot. Instead of taking peat moss and wrapping it around the cut, I just cut some notches in a cup and used that instead. I've done this several times before with great success.

Here comes the not so bright part. I forgot to cut out the bottom of the cup so that the new roots could grow back down into the pot. Now the cup is completely rootbound. I should have known, because the branch wasn't fairing too well. To remedy this, I took the cup out, cut out the bottom, and put the cup back in place. Now the roots will be able to grow more freely before I cut the branch from the mother tree.

I guess my question is, how much longer should I wait before I can cut the branch off? Also, I will want to take my plants outside pretty soon since the weather is getting better. How should I handle the cutting outside (shade for awhile)?

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jeremy_norbury

" the cup is completely rootbound"

What more do you think you need, significant Nebari?

Cut the little bugger off...

I would provide some higher-than-normal humidity - like under glass/plastic/in a mini greenhouse.

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yohann976

I just want to make sure that I have a large enough root system to support the branch on its own. I think it should be fine to cut. I forgot to mention in my initial post that I have the Raintree in a 35 gallon old aquarium. So the cutting will have plenty of humidity.

jeremy_norbury

Photos would have helped...and still will help.

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yohann976

Unfortunately, my wife killed my camera some time ago. I know how beneficial photos can be in helping others gauge the situation. I can attempt to borrow one from a friend. For the time being, I'll give you a brief description.

After making the cut for the airlayer, the branch lost quite a few leaves (I may have cut it a little too deep). Quickly, it recovered and began growing again. After awhile the growth slowed, it lost some leaves and the compound leaves remaining wouldn't open fully. I believe that was due to the fact that the branch became rootbound. Since I cut out the bottom of the cup, nothing has changed, but it has been only a day.

I'm thinking about giving it another week or so before cutting it off of the mother plant. I would cut it off now, but I would be really pissed if I killed it...lol.

jeremy_norbury

No camera phone?

Cutting deep is necessary - you need to completely remove the bark.
See this: http://www.knowledgeofbonsai.org/fo...12192ee6ad3c4a1


There are no guarantees with airlayers :-)

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Vonsgardens

If it filled the cup cut it off, if you let it root down into the pot it will become a tangled mess. Cut it off and put it into a protected spot and let it go forward. John

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yohann976

I think that you are right on that note. The last time I did an airlayer in a similar fashion, it ended up becoming a tangled mess. That time though, I was planning to repot my bonsai, so it really wasn't an issue (just a little messy). This time would end up being a burden more than anything since I'm not planning on repotting the mother plant.

It's kinda funny...one minute I'm going to cut it off, then the next minute I'm going to keep it on for awhile. I'm going to cut off the airlayer after work. I know that there aren't any guarantees, but it should be fine. Like I said before, I'll have this plant in a high humidity environment. Plus, the little guy has to make it on his own at some point.

Thank for the advice everyone!