Jun 9 2011

Cotoneaster Air Layer Update

My root over rock Air Layer was checked today for roots. No sign as yet but it’s early days. As you can see, it’s growing vigorously below and above the layer. I took a few minutes to trim the extension growth below the layer. I left the growth on the layer itself to aid in the production of roots.

After trimming.

May 24 2011

My Snapped Air Layer

As the winds died down today I was out with the camera as usual and here’s my sorry looking Air Layer 😦 😦 From chatting with the guys on Wee Trees Bonsai Forum, it looks like I got away light as many have had bonsai trashed by the wind!!

May 23 2011

Snap!!

We’ve had strong winds here today and a few local trees have fallen. Full leaf and high winds don’t mix I guess.

I just took a look around my trees to check every thing was still on the benches. I had put an air layer on a tall crab apple at the start of the month and, you guessed it, the wind snapped it right off at the point of the air layer!!

Getting on a bit in the year to try another lower down. I’ll maybe plant it out in the flower bed and have another go next year.

May 16 2011

Another Elm Air Layer

While Stephen was here today we layered his Elm. The apex that looked contrived was going to be chopped off to improve the tree. But on closer inspection we thought it would make a nice twin trunk Shohin 🙂

The apex, obviously made by poor wiring many years ago.

This bit could make a nice twin trunk.

May 12 2011

Cork Bark Elm Air Layer

I took a notion to create a broom Style Cork Bark Elm. (Doesn’t he already have one!) Yes, I have one but I want one slightly bigger 🙂 I’m not exactly short of Cork Bark Elms see next pic, and I have one that I had styled but didn’t have great branch placement. I was going to chop the top but decided to air layer instead.

Some Corkies in the Tunnel.

This is the one selected for layering.

I removed a few branches and marked out the area to ring.

I used a sharp knife and cut top and bottom of the planned ring.

I removed the bark in between with side branch cutters.

It’s amazing just how thick the bark is one this variety.

Sphagnum moss is then applied arounf the ring and held in place with cling film.

To finish off I wrap a strip of pond liner around it to keep it dark to encourage roots. his can be removed to check for white roots inside the cling film.

It’s back in the Poly Tunnel and has had a good soaking to ensure the moss is evenly damp. I’ll keep you posted. I think this should issue roots quite quickly.

May 8 2011

Air Layerings

This afternoon I did a few air layers. One to improve a tree, one to increase stock and one just for the hell of it to see if it works.

I started off on my root over rock Cotoneaster. The apex of the tree is contrived with a very obvious man made bend. I plan to bring up a lower branch to create a new apex and change the front slightly. As it’s an unusual variety of Cotoneaster I decided to layer off the apex to create a little Mame version. I may even put it on a rock too. Here’s the photos.

Tree before I started, slightly over grown.

Apex to be removed, a bit of an 'S' bend

Two branches removed to allow space for layer.

Bark stripped and ready for moss

Narrow roll of Cling Film used to hold moss in place

Layer in place

I then added a layer to a Crab Apple that I bought in a garden Centre sale for £5. I hope to get 3-4 off this one over the next few years. No photos of that one.

Finally I added a layer to an Oak that was field grown but is relatively poor material as it stands. I hope to do one this year and another next year, finally leaving the straight trunk with decent nebari. This will be planted in the ground and used to create a broom style tree. Here’s a few pics.