Delonix Regia Air Layering Experiment

Hawthorn

Okay, I'm currently growing two Delonix Regia "Royal Poinciana" and have decided that I let them get WAY too tall .. I started them from seed about 8 months ago and they now have over a foot of bare trunk. The first 8 or so inches has very nice taper, but after that it is kinda messy. I was going to chop one of them and see what happened but I've decided to do an Air Layering experiment instead .. I've never done this before however, I'm growing these trees for the purpose of experimenting so, what's the loss if it doesn't work out, I'll just chop it..

Judging from other saplings in my grow room that I've been repotting, they are probably nearing root-bound stage and I figured that this might even Aid my air-layering attempt.

What I've done: I removed the cambium from about an Inch of trunk (leaving a small 1/8th inch bridge, dusted with rooting hormone and have placed dampened shredded sphagnum over the area zip-tied in place with plastic.

This tree is being grown in my indoor grow room (60-80deg F) (70-80% Humidity), it's being kept with several other trees on a "gorilla" type rack system with pool liner being used as a shelf sized humidity tray, with drain. There are 3 dual lamp fluorescent fixtures using full spectrum lamps(I know I could always have more light, but this combination has been sufficient so far(supplemental light is provided by a window)..

I know experience with this species is sparse, but If anybody has any suggestions or comments, please feel free.

I'll provide pictures soon.

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MattO

What I've done: I removed the cambium from about an Inch of trunk (leaving a small 1/8th inch bridge, dusted with rooting hormone and have placed dampened shredded sphagnum over the area zip-tied in place with plastic.


I am not sure why you have left a "bridge". By that do you mean a small strip where you did not remove the cambium? If so, this will cause the plant to begin healing your cut and impede the development of roots. To air layer, you want to completely remove the connection between the roots and foliage. This means removing the cambium in a ring, all the way around the trunk.


I know I could always have more light, but this combination has been sufficient so far

Obviously not, or they would not be leggy in the first place.

Hawthorn

Do you have any experience with air-layering this species? If so, I'm all ears.

Here's my take.. If it heals over, then I'll try another method, if it doesn't then I'll have a successful root system.. Either way, I don't kill my tree. I'm in no hurry for results.


Okay.. blunt..

It's a sapling, that didn't get any training/pinching/etc... What do you expect it to do, have you ever grown one of these before?

froufrou

I think what he means is that in general, plants grow leggy when they receive insufficient light. Usually that is the case when using artificial light, or light of the wrong spectrum.

Whether that is what happened in your case, I don't know.

anttal63

that is sound advice matto couldnt agree more with you. hawthorn you would be wise to at least consider what he is saying regardless of wether he has experienced it or read it. he say's it like it is. enjoy your experiment and good luck with it.

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Antonio . . .
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Hawthorn

That's all fine and good. I'm not discounting his advice, however I am simply choosing to stick with the course of action I've already taken. Otherwise, the integrity of the experiment is null and void, is it not?