Category: Big Boy Blue Juniper

Air layering, round 2

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As you may remember, I did my first air layering this December. I learned a lot from that experience, but it was flawed in many ways. I decided to revisit it now that the growing conditions are more ideal. Upon removing the plastic, no roots had grown. Sad day. But, I figured I could help it along.

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Using my handy dandy new wood carver, I sliced up the edges deeper. This should shock the tree more- I think I was a bit too conservative in my first attempt. However, removing more bark did slice up the main trunk a bit. It’s all good.

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There she is! Much thinner than before.

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I removed a few of the lower branches to make room for the bag. I think a mistake I previously make was putting the bag too low- the roots grow above the wound, not on it. This way, the moss will be where the roots should grow. I also dampened the moss and tied it tightly so that the water won’t evaporate. Maybe this attempt will work! It’s all a work in progress.

Baby’s first air-layering

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Remember when I said that air layering is typically done in the spring? And it is currently late fall? Yeah, I am going to try it anyway. Texas winters are not that bad.

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Here is what you need- sphagnum moss, knife/carving tool, plastic, and wire (and a tree). This is my first project post blog release, so I actually took pictures of the whole process. Higher quality!

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I am going to be air layering this branch on my Big Boy Juniper. Why did I choose this one? Well, it it way too close to the base of the trunk. It will eventually be chopped off anyway. And, it was the thickest of the base branches. So it would make for the best tree.

 

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Once you have identified the branch, you start to carve off the bark all around the branch. This stresses out the tree, thinking it is gonna die, and so it sends roots to that area to help recover. Then, I will be able to chop it off and have a new plant! This carving job isn’t perfect. I should not have make it so long. But it should be fine.

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Next, I apply honey all around the wound! Some people dust it with rooting hormone. I don’t have that, and my research had shown that honey works just as well. It helps ward off bacteria, (insert science here). Some people also used crushed up aspirin, but I just used my lovely friend’s honey. Thanks Bela 🙂

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Finally, you wrap damp sphagnum moss around the wound, and above the wound. The roots actually grow above the wound, not on it. Why? *science*. I use plastic and wire to hold the moss in place. My favorite blogger, Adam of Adam’s Art and Bonsai uses aluminum foil. Apparently that helps increase root growth, but I don’t have any, and with plastic, I can see if/when the roots start forming. I shouldn’t have to add any water, but I will check it periodically to make sure it is still damp.

Roots should form within a few months. If they start to poke out, I will consider that an all-clear to do all of the other air layers I want to do! Hooray! What a gorgeous plastic bag of moss on that branch. Sometimes you need ugly before you get to beautiful.

Big Boy Blue Juniper

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From November 10, 2018.

Here I am, smug as can be, with my biggest prize yet.

I got this Blue Juniper at sale at Lowe’s. Although I prefer Home Depot to Lowe’s because they tend to have better plant prices, Lowe’s has a clearance section. Sometimes I will swing by there to see if I can find any good deals. And I did! This guy was $12, originally $40, with no signs of sickness. It looks as though they just needed room for the pine Christmas trees. I scoured through all of the trees to find them best one. This one has a great thick with nice taper.

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At about four feet tall, he has a lot of potential. I will most likely air layer it in the spring to maximize my material. But air layering is best for the spring. I will wait until then (maybe… I’m impatient.) For now, he is just chilling. I love my big boy.