Additional thoughts on Layering
I tried another air layer last year and this time it was on a spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus ). The idea was to get rid of a thick raised root. Started in May 2019, the same technique I am using on my other layered trees. First check in early July - hardly any new roots! Raised eyebrow. What's going on? I have not expected the spindle tree to be in any way hard to air layer. Another check in second half of August. The same results. Gosh. Hardly any new roots just steps ahead of an autumn. Not to mention the winter. Some time spent on pondering about options. Then I have decided to carry on and make the best of the few remaining weeks of the growing season.
The air layer has been left untouched. I have just added a layer of dark pebbles on the top of the air layer and the whole pot has been wrapped in a black plastic bag. Witht the idea behind to increase the humidity and to keep the place a bit more warm during cold nights.
At the end of September a number of new roots have started to emerge from the collar protecting the air layer. But not enough to think about separation.
So the whole plant has been moved into the non frost attic. With the hope that the new roots would keep growing there. And yes, it was the case. The growth of new roots have continued during the whole winter. On slower pace but still growing. I have always thought that the roots resume their growth in late winter/early spring, but it seems this may not be the case. They can grow providing there are conditions suitable for their growth.
2020
In February the tree has started to show new growth. New buds and first leaves. That has put the tree into the Nomad tree category. Nice non frost days OUT, cold nights IN. With all the new vivid growth I start to think about the best time to separate. It should be done well before the hot summer days or once the summer is over. Which period to choose? Taking into account the health of the tree and horticulture I have decided to separate it in spring.
As you can see very strong growth on the leftish side and much less of it on the right one. Possible two reasons
- less space of the air layering collar on the right side ( please check the previous post about layering )
- there was that problematic root on that side, meaning there was much less substrate ( room for growth ) available. Or perhaps was the reason some kind of a dominance of that strong root?
There still remains one big question unanswered: Why the air layer has not worked right from the beginning? I think that there might not been enough "old" roots to boost the growth on new ones. I remember that the leaves on the leader were curled during the season which may indicate problems with water supply. You can see that on the very first pic. The leaves have looked the same way in the season as well - apart from the autumn discoloration. Was it that or was there anything else? I do not know...
Anyway - I should be more careful and leave enough space on all sides of the collar to keep the humidity and temperature +/- the same all over the place. To start with.
The air layer has been left untouched. I have just added a layer of dark pebbles on the top of the air layer and the whole pot has been wrapped in a black plastic bag. Witht the idea behind to increase the humidity and to keep the place a bit more warm during cold nights.
At the end of September a number of new roots have started to emerge from the collar protecting the air layer. But not enough to think about separation.
 |
| End of September |
 |
| New roots |
 |
| 30th November. Tree in the attic |
2020
In February the tree has started to show new growth. New buds and first leaves. That has put the tree into the Nomad tree category. Nice non frost days OUT, cold nights IN. With all the new vivid growth I start to think about the best time to separate. It should be done well before the hot summer days or once the summer is over. Which period to choose? Taking into account the health of the tree and horticulture I have decided to separate it in spring.
As you can see very strong growth on the leftish side and much less of it on the right one. Possible two reasons
- less space of the air layering collar on the right side ( please check the previous post about layering )
- there was that problematic root on that side, meaning there was much less substrate ( room for growth ) available. Or perhaps was the reason some kind of a dominance of that strong root?
There still remains one big question unanswered: Why the air layer has not worked right from the beginning? I think that there might not been enough "old" roots to boost the growth on new ones. I remember that the leaves on the leader were curled during the season which may indicate problems with water supply. You can see that on the very first pic. The leaves have looked the same way in the season as well - apart from the autumn discoloration. Was it that or was there anything else? I do not know...
Anyway - I should be more careful and leave enough space on all sides of the collar to keep the humidity and temperature +/- the same all over the place. To start with.
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