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air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1348

  • hein
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I want to air layer this spring and I pretty much know what to do. I wanna try to air layer using sphagnum moss. I have in my backyard a patch of moss which looks identicle to sphagnum moss. Can I just use moss as a medium? And should it be dry or can I use it wet?

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1350

  • BassandBonsai
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Hmm, where do you live, and do you know what variety it is? I know that the sphagnum moss commonly used has almost completely decomposed.

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1357

  • Pinkham
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First of all you need to know if there is any kind of fungus in the moss that would harm the tree. an air layer is like an open wound. putting fungus or any kind of harmful bacteria on it wouldn't be too good.

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1365

  • hein
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Bassandbonsai, I live in Wellington in the Western Cape. I have no clue what variety it is. I saw this patch of moss that looked like Sphagnum Moss. I googled it and the pics looks very similar.

Pinkham, I don't know if any fungus is lurking somewhere. I will rather go and buy sphagnum moss cause I don't wanna kill the air layer due to stupidity from my side

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1367

  • leatherback
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Hi there,
effectively any medium which retains moisture should work, as long as it is clean. I use potting soil for air-layers; works fine.

You asked re using wet or dry'the layering is done with moist material, kept moist throughout. That is what stimulates the rooting.

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1386

  • BassandBonsai
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Yeah, it would probably be best to just buy some sphagnum moss, or potting soil if you prefer leatherback's approach. I just know that the sphagnum moss I bought for my air-layering was decomposed, not which variety was used or how harmful fungi/bacteria were removed.

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1682

  • hein
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this is the chinese elm that want to air layer. Can a trunk air layer be attempted?

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1683

  • Pinkham
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Hein,
You can air layer the elm pretty soon. You're coming in to spring in South Africa right?

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1685

  • hein
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Is there perhaps a fool proof way of air layering a trunk or is the same as any layer? My medium is 50 50 potting soil and perlite

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Re: air layer medium? 12 years 7 months ago #1689

  • Pinkham
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Sphagnum moss is recommended but you can use potting soil or pretty much any medium that will hold moisture.

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