First try at air layering

OK, I have all my cuttings going under my plastic domes and now I also want to try air layering on several things. I just have a few questions please:

1. Should I do it on older (last years) growth or this years?

2. Should I make the wound on one side of the stem or all the way around? I have seen both ways mentioned.

3. Should I look for a branch in the shade or in the sun?

Then I just just dust the wound with rooting hormone, cover with damp sphagnum and lastly a layer of saran wrap, closed off with electrical tape, right?

About how long until roots appear?

Thanks!

I do this with rose bushes. I use a flower stem that has already bloomed. I wound mine all around the stem. I cover with clear plastic and then I use part of a black plastic hefty bag to protect the cut end from the sun. This works for me. My rose cuttings usually produce roots within 3-4 weeks. Leave them on there until you can peel the black plastic back and see the roots through the clear plastic.

Echinaceamaniac, so you cover with plastic as stated above and use no peat moss or anything, just plastic?

No. I'm sorry. I cover the moss with the clear plastic. I put the dark plastic over that. Sorry for the confusion.

I have done semi hardened new growth air layering on Rhododendron just as you have done your roses. Potting and further growing in semi shade is needed to build stronger root masses. In my care this leads to nicely rooted plants for planting in place the second or third year. I keep them potted until the new growth indicates strong roots. In my first experiment I had twenty five air layered semi hardened new growth Rhodonedndrons. The success factor was eighteen excellent, two questionable and five loses. Not bad at all for $14.95 plants. My pots were gallon size second hand food cans. My plastic was dry cleaner clothing bags. I did not use the black second cover.

The picture shows them some thirty five years later at the edge of our patio and property line.