Hello everyone this is my first ever attempt to air layer a tree but I am fairly confident that I have done it right because I got advice from a local bonsai master at my first bonsai convention ( psyched )
So I removed the bark down to the cambium making sure the cut was aprox 1 and a half times thicker than the trunk then engraved little teeth like cuts on the top cut , then I applied rooting gel , covered it with sphagnum moss ,sealed it with a bag and clingfilm then finally covered it with a black bag to avoid sunlight reaching it
Thats what the master told me to do but does anybody have any advice on how to maintain and increase my chances of success on it
Thanks

Wait a good few months depending on the species - I have had Ligustrum air layers ready to remove & pot within 6 months, the last Chinese elm layer took nearly a year. You need to ensure the moss doesn't dry out, I usually leave a small gap at the top for watering. Don't try to rush the process, make sure there is enough new root to support the layer before removal and if in doubt wrap it up again a leave for a further period.

Dave

Ok thank you very much I will be patient with this one .
I have one other doubt I had already left a gap at the top for watering but im worried it may be to big its about a 1 inch opening is yhat ok or should I close it a little ?

Nico

That should be OK

Dave

Ok thanks again for the advice
Ill post progress once it is ready to be removed .

Nico

Hello everyone,
As i promised i am posting progress on my first air layer amd im happy to say that it was a success
Today i removed the bags to check if there were any roots and i nearly got eaten alive by them :ohmy:
there were far more than i expected so i decided to make the cut leaving all the roots and the spaghnum moss untuched,
as i was told by an expert months ago , then i planted the layer in its nice new pot and seeled the cut on the mother plant.
I think everything went perfect but only time will tell
I will post some photos of the progress on the next reply because i took them with a good camera and they are a bit large
Regards
Nico

This is just after opening the bag

Here is the mother plant after the cut



and here is the layer



other side



I am planning another airlayer to further reduce the size of the plant , any ideas where to make it ?
thanks
Nico

Thanks Samantha
Thats where I thought I would do it to but then I still cant see what to do with the mother plant I might have to make another cut lower than that one to see something
Do you or does anybody see anything or have any ideas on what to do next ?
Thanks
Nico