Crucial tips for air layering Japanese maple?

cato42

Greetings, peace, and grace to all--

I have what will possibly seem a very simple query--indeed, I hope it proves to be so. I have been entrusted with the care of fine old Japanese maple that has great sentimental value to many. It is in need of some hard pruning, and a request has been made that I attempt to air layer one or two of the branches that must be removed, with the request coming from a person with a great emotional attachment to this tree.

There is one particular branch that holds great potential; I plan to attempt the project with this subject, and have been assiduously preparing for the effort with study, etc. The basics of air layering are not new to me, and I've had some success in the past, though, for whatever reason, I've never tried such with a Japanese maple. With all of this as background, my query is this, and, I hope, shall draw the attention of those most experienced/knowledgeable about the topic: Are there any particular "musts" or "must nots" of which one would advise someone who greatly desires success on this particular attempt? I do not seek a broad tutorial; I am only inquiring about those tips that are truly crucial--and perhaps not well broadcast--for success in this particular instance.

As always, all help is much appreciated. I thank all for their kindness and attention. God bless.

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BrianBay9

I'm not the most experienced, but I've tried three airlayers with J. maples, and all three were successful. Used standard techniques. Just waited until first leaves were hardened off in the spring.

The only airlayers on decidious trees that have failed for me have been due to my own impatience - removing the layer too soon.

Good luck.
Brian

cato42

... for the encouragement and the quick posting. I'd developed the notion that air layering this tree shouldn't be hard--and as I said, I've done it before, but never with the "must succeed" tag on the effort, nor, as I noted, with a Japanese maple. All my indicators are that it shouldn't be difficult--as long as I'm patient--but it's nice to hear similar from you. Gotta go--even as I write this, I spy a rabbit in my garden, showing entirely too much interest in my bonsai. Thanks again.

Carl_Bergstrom

Hi Cato,

I've layered a couple of dozen Japanese maples over the last few years, with nearly 100% success. The failures have been on certain dissectum cultivars of palmatum and on Acer shirasawanum, and even the dissectums haven't been utter failures - I just don't get a good ring of even roots all around.

Acer palmatum doesn't seem to require any special tricks or need any special caveats. I ring the bark completely, and don't use a wire tournaquet; here in Seattle the roots usually appear within 10 weeks but can take as long as four months.

My only advice would be that if the tree is of tremendous sentimental value, you might want to track down someone who has done this a number of times to help you, mostly for your own piece of mind but also to somewhat improve your chances of success.

Best wishes,
Carl

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PastorJeff

I don't have an answer as I have never done it before, but I have been wondering this as well. We have a number of more mature Japanese Maples that I would love to airlayer off of.

Thanks for asking!

Jeffrey

cato42

Again, a helpful note! Thank you, Carl, for the kind attention and advice. My plan at present is to proceed much as you've described--an encircling cut, without tourniquet, and then patience waiting for the roots. It's interesting that you've seen such variance in timing till roots visible; I'm pretty sure that the failures I've had in the past were all due to my inability to wait long enough. Conversely, the "easiest" ones were those in which I was either the most patient, or "too busy" to get around to mucking with them until later....

Because of the (VERY high) sentimental value, I have asked for advice from a couple of knowledgeable acquaintances, and have gotten reassurances that I should have no difficulty. (Which just kinda adds to the pressure, if you know what I mean!)

Again, thanks.

cato42

You're quite welcome! For what it's worth, I've had some success and some failures--with the failures being due to either poor technique (esp. with regards to keeping it moist) or (more commonly, I think), impatience. (And since when has impatience been a problem in bonsai, right?!)

Cato

Bonsainut

Easiest tree ever

Great advice from da Crow and BB9. You will have success Catosan. You have done your homework.

I do mine as the new leaves are coming out so I can see what Im doing.

Cut the bark deep, or it will heal over, trust.

I use moss, and lots of it. I do an initial wad-- tie with cotton string then another whole layer around.

I use dip and grow and brush it on with an artist brush. Well you know the drill, I have some kinda of roots in 3 weeks-- fastest tree of all.

Can't wait!!

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bonsaial1

Come on! Do we always have to slip in the word artist on everything having to do with bonsai. For once can't it just be a paint brush?

Bonsai-al

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