Bonsai Garden Forums / BONSAI / Bonsai Techniques / Hornbeam air-layer to pot / Latest Posts

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:25:05 GMT

The top half has had the three low branches removed and is leafing out before its mother. Maybe because it has been sheltered a bit more.

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Kath — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:01:20 GMT

That's an offer you can't refuse Penny :D:D:D

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:14:09 GMT

Lets put it this way, before witnesses. If you ride up here, with the trailer on tow, its yours to take back. No charge.

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Tuppence — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:12:28 GMT

The curve to the trunk is very pleasing. I want one - a hornbeam, that is! :)

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:29:12 GMT

This is where I'm at with the bottom half up to now. The leaves have been removed and I've used a minimum of wire. The Apex will go slightly more upright and be twisted 90 degrees to show the branching in a couple of days.

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment151.aspx[/img]

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Tuppence — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:09:16 GMT

Very interesting to follow this. Thanks. :)

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:58:58 GMT

I re-potted the 'mother' today. Ite even higher in the soil now but I discovered another set of roots further down and might get rid of the original nebari gradually over time. I've never experienced a rootball so packed with roots. It was so hard that I couldn't push my pointed root-hook into it. At least two-thirds of the roots have been removed but the tree is only half as big as it was before removal of the layer and I've cut back most of the branches by a little. Superthrive to the rescue.

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Surrey John — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:20:39 GMT

I agree with you Kath! Thanks Don, for a really instructive post, and very useful for me because we are doing "air-layering" at our February meeting of Sutton Bonsai Society so it's given me a good start to that. SJ

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Kath — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:59:47 GMT

WOW Don, this is a super lesson, thank you for taking the time to show us in great detail, with photos, very much appreciated :)

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:53:23 GMT

Wire firmly into the pot.

I use a broken dibber to nestle the medium in among the roots..Many use a chopstick..

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment139.aspx[/img]

Water well to consolidate..

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment140.aspx[/img]

Mother and daughter doing okay..

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment141.aspx[/img]

I shall keep the layer in the shade for around three weeks.

I've done a light trim on it. Three lower branches will probably go when the trunk has started to thicken. There's also a straight bit of trunk with no branching two thirds of the way up which I'm not keen on - watch this space..

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:42:53 GMT

Nibble the excess stub away..

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment136.aspx[/img]

Seal both cut ends and spread the roots over some planting medium..

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment137.aspx[/img]

Top up the medium

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment138.aspx[/img]

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:34:02 GMT

Lets get the saw in there.

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment134.aspx[/img]

Cut through

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment135.aspx[/img]

RE: Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:14:54 GMT

It must be ready

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment132.aspx[/img]

There seems to be some rootage under the plastic.

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment133.aspx[/img]

Hornbeam air-layer to pot

Stymie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:09:34 GMT

I managed to salvage a plastic container of ample proportions and went to work on this.

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment131.aspx[/img]