Air-layering Chinese Elm.... Maximum Thickness?

JoshMoRenaud

I have a question regarding air-layering a Chinese Elm. I'm wondering what the maximum branch width is that will still allow a good chance of success. I'd like to start the layer soon, so about how long will it be before I can cut the branch? I have a friend with a Chinese Elm tree and I'm going to see if she'll let me layer a branch from it.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Josh

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bonsaial1

If you start right now, you should have roots by July. Whether or not I would sever it this year would be up to you. I wait till the next spring to sever the ones I do.

Be sure to let the cut dry a day or two before wrapping with moss or soil. Make sure the peel area is large enough, and make sure you use fresh hormone.

Elm layers can be taken as large as your wrist. You could do them even larger if you wanted. I have heard as large as 6" across. Though I would not want a tree this large. Way expensive pot!

I did one this last year from the top of a bonsai. The roots never formed. I waited till July when it was dorment again due to heat, re peeled the area, scraped it white again, re-hormoned it, and I had roots in a month. I severed it in Nov.

Good luck, Bonsai-al

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JoshMoRenaud

Thanks for your excellent info, Al. I had no idea that Chinese Elms would go dormant from heat. I'm in zone 9, so I'm assuming it will happen here too. I'm going to ask my friend with the tree about it today and hopefully she won't mind a piece of bubble wrap on a branch for several months.

Thanks again for your advice..

Josh

Bonsainut

Son, you never been to Fresno in July...

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Keep growing,---'Nut



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bonsaial1

Nut said a mouthful. Last year we had a streak of 21 days in a row over 104. Thats just not right! Everything dies back in that kind of heat. Even me!

Al

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