What is air layering?
Air layering is a plant propagation technique that includes branch injury and stimulation to root production and then cut off the branch and planting. Although this process may sound a little strange, it has been practiced for centuries and in its native China, the layering of air is a widely used method of spreading. This technique can be used for wooden ornaments, some trees and many houseplants and it is relatively easy, even for beginning gardeners. The logic is that a healthy branch can also be converted into a new plant and removed rather than cropped and fired completely. People can also use air layers to produce clones of popular plants and cultivars. People who work with bonsai are especially happy to spread this technique, because the cultivation of bonsai is already strongly controlled.
People can broadcast a layer in the spring after the leaves of the plants have been fully established, using a branch from the previous season or year of growth or in summer using a branch that grew in spring. In general for successful layering airChu necessary branch at least pencil size.
The process begins by removing the outer layers of the bark to pierce the branch. The aim is to allow nutrients to flow through the branch so that it does not die during the air layering process. In some plants, rather than dazing the branch, a deep slot is produced and held open with a wedge. In both cases, the next step involves packing injuries in humid moss and then closed instead of a plastic cover that keeps it moist. Some people use watering the soil instead of moss and wrap the plastic in the foil to reflect heat so that the evolving roots do not cook in the plastic.
It may take a third of six months to develop the roots. The air layering process is generally considered to be done when the root network is clearly visible inside the plastic. At this point, the branch can be interrupted under the root ball and planted. Some people provide the plant root hormones at the beginningprocess or during the planting phase to support the rapid development of the root ball.
The new plant is usually very fragile and needs special care to encourage a small root ball to develop and support the plant. Some gardeners surround the plant with a plastic bag to keep it wet or store the plant in a warm, humid environment like a greenhouse while being founded. Growth above the ground is minimal in the first or two season, as the plant sinks a large part of its energy into the production of healthy roots.