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Air layer question

Hi
My first attempt at air layers not totally sucessful but I am learning. I tried three and one had some roots; one had a few roots but they fell off and third (red lebanese) had no roots but looks like maybe some root initials like little white bumps. Since all were cut from trees I figured best to pot up and put in shade. My question is should I remove some or all leaves or cut the leaves back since few roots to support leaves. How much should I water? Any suggestions on improving survival odds appreciated. Thanks

Barry
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Remove most leaves on the one with some roots. Remove all leaves from the ones without. Treat them like cuttings.
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Originally Posted by chucklikestofish
~can you give me a step by step of your process ,i air layer all the time i get great turn outs thick heavy roots ,so if you tell me step by step what you do i might be able to help ,it's really simple to make trees this way ,~


especially how long you waited before opening?
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Don't cut them off the mother tree until there are lots of roots. Even then depending on the root volume vs amount of leaves, they probably need babying for a time.

It sounds to me that they were cut off too soon.
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Barry, check out this recent thread. It will show how much of a root ball should be achieved after 4-6 weeks to achieve a successful air layer.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/fool-proof-air-layer-idea-8171420?highlight=air+layer&pid=1293062182
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Barry if you didn't cut the leaves yet, try putting the potted up air layer in a plastic bag with a quarter size opening at the top. You'll also need to keep it out of direct sun. The bag will keep the moisture level up preventing the leaves from getting crispy. After a week make the opening bigger doing this every 5 to7 days until the leaves remain hydrated until the bag becomes fully opened. Give it a shot. It can't hurt.

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Joe, two of the cuttings I used plastic water bottle method and other two I used plastic wrap and all were wrapped in tin foil. I used pro mix BH soil. It was difficult to wrap up the soil and get enough moisture in the wrapping. I did scrape a bit of the bark off.  Some of the air layers stayed too dry while another seemed pretty wet. I kept all the air layers on for at least 3 -4 weeks. It was tough to peek in and see whether air layers had sufficient roots so when I saw any roots I then proceeded to cut them from tree - probably not a great strategy. Any way they are now in pots with no roots or little roots. Should I keep in the pots (in shade) or place in plastic container with coir?  thanks
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Originally Posted by bgli
Joe, two of the cuttings I used plastic water bottle method and other two I used plastic wrap and all were wrapped in tin foil. I used pro mix BH soil. It was difficult to wrap up the soil and get enough moisture in the wrapping. I did scrape a bit of the bark off.  Some of the air layers stayed too dry while another seemed pretty wet. I kept all the air layers on for at least 3 -4 weeks. It was tough to peek in and see whether air layers had sufficient roots so when I saw any roots I then proceeded to cut them from tree - probably not a great strategy. Any way they are now in pots with no roots or little roots. Should I keep in the pots (in shade) or place in plastic container with coir?  thanks


At this point, I'd treat them like cuttings (plastic with coir).

For next time: I think any firm plastic container would be OK.  For example, I've used Gatorade bottles.  But I prefer Dunkin Donuts plastic ice coffee cups because they are relatively large and they are fairly thin -- easy to cut.  Re wetting, I'd strongly recommend getting the Pro Mix wet (soak then squeeze) before you put it in the container.  Once the mix is packed firmly inside, surrounding the branch, replace the cover and wrap the container with tape (e.g., clear packing tape) to create a fairly tight seal.  It'll be slightly open at the top, which may admit some rain water running down the branch; and slightly open at the bottom, which will permit drainage.  Then add the foil.  Then wrap it all with string to secure it in place.  Doing this, I haven't had to add water.  To avoid root damage from random motion (e.g. wind), it helps to make the air layer just above a crotch, where a lower branch can support the cup.

Most importantly, I don't think 3-4 weeks is long enough.  I've seen recommendations of 8 weeks or longer.  I'm impatient, and I've had good success at 7 weeks.  But at only 3-4 weeks, I think the roots will be too few and too tender.  You want a nice, dense root mass so that when you cut it off the tree and remove the plastic cup, it holds together well. 


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I have had good success with the water bottle method filled with pre-moistened promix HP and wrapped with foil. I do girdle a one inch section of bark and apply clonex before filling with promix. I peek under the foil looking for significant roots which usually takes about 6 weeks.
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