How do you like to Air Layer? (Making new trees from existing ones)

If you haven't heard of air layering, it is creating a new plant (usually a tree or bush) from an existing one.

I love air layering! It can be such a great way to create new plants!

The picture below shows a good example of how it is usually done. The process begins by injuring a branch of the tree, then securing damp peat moss or soil on the area, and finally cutting the branch off after a few months and planting it as a new plant!


(source)

I love that this can be used to create own root fruit trees too, which can be hard to find at most nurseries!

There are many tutorials online and videos of many different ways to air layer.

Do you air layer? If so, do you have a particular way of doing it? What plants have you air layered? Do you have any tips or tricks for increased success?

I tried it but it was too late in the year. They started to root but not enough. How early in the spring can you air layer?

Ken W Wilson wrote:I tried it but it was too late in the year. They started to root but not enough.

I did a batch of about 10 late in the year last year, and one of them took where the branch had broken partially, and it developed a very large root. I might try ones next year with the branch partially broken since it worked so well with that one this past year!

How early in the spring can you air layer?

I've always heard after the last freeze, but I'm going to experiment this spring with some before that and some later in the season just to see which one works the best!

What kind of plants were you air layering?

I tried Lake Carpathian Walnut and Montmorency Cherry. I’ve got a couple walnuts growing from seedlings, but I still need a cherry.

Ken W Wilson wrote:I tried Lake Carpathian Walnut and Montmorency Cherry. I’ve got a couple walnuts growing from seedlings, but I still need a cherry.

Neat!

I tried cherries too, but I haven't done any nuts yet.

That's so cool you've got some walnut seedlings. I hope to have some seedlings soon too!

Hi I did air layering on a miniature rose bush.  Here is the video.  Worked well.  

Deedee weston wrote:Hi I did air layering on a miniature rose bush.  Here is the video.  Worked well.

Very neat!

Have you air layered anything else?

no mostly just roses, but I was going to try on some of my fruit trees  just for experiment.

Deedee weston wrote:no mostly just roses, but I was going to try on some of my fruit trees  just for experiment.

That would be neat!

I'd like to try it on roses. I love how a rose looks, it's such a beautiful flower to me.

I just discovered air layering and tried it on serviceberry and cherry trees.    It's been two weeks and the branches have not wilted or dried up so I'm taking that as a good sign!     I'm going to try some mountain laurel and a few other things as well.   this seems like a great way to get a jump start and skip the first couple years of  seedling/  cutting growing!

That's awesome Heather!

I'm going to hopefully be doing some seviceberry and cherries soon too, so I'm excited to see how yours turns out!

Yeah, I love how they have a head start with some good roots formed already too, and that they are on their own roots and not grafted, which is my preference.

Has anyone tried layering Haskap and if so was it successful?

I've air layered several ornamentals for bonsai, but haven't tried it with fruit trees, yet. I was thinking about holding off on pruning the apple trees this winter and try some layers on some of the lower branches.
Do you all cut a full ring to the cambrium with fruit trees, or just make slits around the branch? I've heard it done both ways, so wasn't sure which method is generally more successful...

I use the method in the first post but i dry the soil really well and then wet it with willow water to help it rooting.

ETA - method two is bring the branch down to the ground and let it sit in a pot with soil and willow water, or hollow out a hole in the ground, lay the branch or switch in the hollowed out place, cover with soil. Pin it down or use a rock to keep it moist, in contact with the willow watered soil.

I'm planning to try willow water too, to see if it helps.

I also hope to start them in late Spring this year so they have a longer season to develop roots before the cold weather sets in.

I may try using a toothpick like in the picture below to simulate an injury, as the one that rooted for me last year was on the broken spot of a branch, or I may just slightly break the branch.



Source: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/air-layering/

Max Kennedy wrote:Has anyone tried layering Haskap and if so was it successful?

I haven't tried layering Haskap; that seems to take from hardwood cuttings for me which is much easier.

I'm wanting to increase my Aronia berries and wonder whether layering may be the best route for them. Has anyone tried layering Aronia melanocarpa and how did you get on?

I have taken to doing the old-fashioned rooting cuttings for most things since I was able to systematize it and perform it en-masse much faster.

HOWEVER, some cultivars always kick my butt using that method. That is when air-layering shines for me.

If I were only doing a handful of trees every year to gift away to expand the trees I already have, then air-layering is where it is at.

I just microwave some moistened soil until it is super steamy, then add more water after it cools and let the excess drain. Then take a Ziplock and pack it full. Cut a slit down the middle. Wrap it around a branch that is going to get pruned anyways... trying to place the slit on the bottom so rainwater can seep in possibly. Zip tie or tie that on there. Then wrap in aluminum foil (to cancel light and heat out) and tie that shut with either string or Zip ties or tape... as I will be opening it every now and again to see if it is ready or not.