Mauree Demonstrates Air Layering (Marcottage)

Click on any photo to see an enlarged version. For demonstration purposes only, Mauree Kimball is using a cutting. In actuality, the process is done to wood that stays attached to the plant. Her demonstration starts on April 19th at the Sunset Chapter meeting and you can see at the bottom what resulted on July 19th.

Mauree Kimball says the sphagnum needs to soak for 30-45 minutes to get thoroughly wet.	She cuts around the wood at two points about an 1 1/2" apart. She has removed the leaves above and below the cuts.	A third cut is made so that the bark can be peeled away.	All the cambium is scraped off.	A handful of soggy sphagnum is clumped around the bare area. Rooting hormones are sometimes used.

Heavy duty aluminum foil is wrapped around the area and squeezed tight to seal in moisture.	Mauree says after 4-6 weeks the foil can be removed, the new plant cut away just below the roots and planted in a gallon pot.	The end result. Of course, this wood would be attached to a growing plant.	Bob tries his hand at it...	and so does Connie.

July 19th, three months later, and Mauree prepares to see the results.	Pruners in hand, she gets ready to cut just below the area covered by the aluminum foil.	She carefully removes the foil.	Success!! A tiny bit dry after three months, but plenty of roots and ready to pot. Four - six weeks is likely more ideal.

This page was created with WebPics