I want try and air-layer some of my multi stemmed plants. Has anyone tried this? What should I use for a medium? I have some of the fiberous spagnum - would that be best? Also what about the rooting hormone? I have a little kit of powders that has 3 strengths. #1 for easy to root soft wood cuttings, #3 for woody and semi-woody plants, and #8 for difficult leafless plants and evergreens. I'm also wondering if the slugs and earwigs would be a problem. It seems like I'd be building a nice moist home for them. Is there a way to keep them from getting inside there? Should the bark of the stem be cut all the way around or just a section cut out? Is it Okay to try to layer a stem that has buds and flowers coming?
Sorry for the ton of questions. I figured some others might want to try this method this fall too.
Air - Layering
Poppysue,
See if you can get ahold of Monika. She uses this method on her brugs.
Good questions. I did it years ago on a white birch tree, used soagham moss, foil or plastic wrap up around moss and cut one side of branch, "V" piece, moisten moss, tie twisty tie around so as to keep critters out. Years ago, I had never seen an earwig, just last 5-7 years have been having any problem with them.
Hope this helps.
url for air layering propagation method ... http://www.mosserlee.com/howto/airlayer.html , http://www.gardens.co.nz/features/AirLayer.htm , http://garden-gate.prairienet.org/airlayer.htm ,
One of these days I'll learn how to hyperlink - but there is an excellent area on the ABADS site on air layering - with step by step pictures.
Abad's air layering method... http://home.att.net/~brugmansia/abadsairlayering.html
Liz... use copy and paste method: copy the url, then paste on ur message, u intend to post. it is that simple. if not sure, do the preview before posting to see if it works. hope that helps.
This message was edited Wednesday, Aug 21st 3:44 PM
Very good info. Do not know if I will have any luck, will be trying it at some point, when I get a Rothkirch!!!!
Dreaming!!!
Thanks for all the links and info. I hadn't seen that ABADS page. I see she uses plain peat moss - and I was thinking the alluminum foil might even repel slugs. I guess I better get my rear in gear and just DO IT!!