JBP layered in 3 months

[alpinebonsart]

This is my first attempt at layering a pine .This Japanese black pine was purchased from K Mart mid December 09 and the layer was set within days of bringing it home .

The tree with the layer attached

The simple ring bark method was used as per deciduous trees , i did however use a split pot with numerous drain holes in the bottom and the mix was the same as the plant was potted up when purchased with the addition of 6mm rough river quarts/sharps .This was added to assist drainage and open up the soil for aeration .

With the ring bark cut i added a few flaps by inserting the knife blade under the bark and twisting the blade , then using Yates plant cutting compound {hormone powder} i made a paste and pushed it up under each flap and around the top cut .No other material was used to hold the flaps apart .With the pot in position i placed a small amount of spagnum moss in the bottom to prevent the soil from being washed out through the bottom then filled with the soil mix .The layer was first watered with a 1/2 strength solution of seasol power feed {green bottle} then watered daily from then until the layer was severed .

The layer severed with the root ball shown

Potted next to its host

The tree was positioned under a shade sail and received only 2 hours of full midday sun

[alpinebonsart]

I was so impressed with the ease of this layer that i have place another 4 on the original tree . I hope to layer off 2 single trunks a twin trunk and a tripple trunk

THE TYPICAL RING BARK

THE ORIGINAL TRUNK WITH 4 MORE LAYERS

My research tells me it may take 6 months for the Autumn layers to strike roots due to the winter dormant period .

This method was also used the same day on an Acer Campestre {field maple} , no roots are present which i find amazing .Who would have thought a Pine would layer quicker than a Maple .Cheers

[taffyman]

Alpine, that's an amazingly short time for a Black Pine to set roots. Reckon you must have hit it at exactly the optimum time.

I like your idea of making a paste from the hormone power as well. Was that your own idea or did you get it from somewhere else. Either way, it's still a good idea - another one that I might try myself.

[alpinebonsart]

Hi Taffyman , surprised as you are with the speed in which the layer sprouted roots , i did have the goss on layering pines from Deb.R.Ks bible , however everybody told me it was hit and miss . I was also told to use Gel not Powder ,damn it i have failed every time with gel so i gave it the flick quite a few years ago .

As for useing the powder in paste form i got sick and tired of the wind blowing it off the brush or my hands shaking to much , so to make it stick i simple dipped the brush in water then into the powder and as you paint it on it becomes a stiff paste that can be brushed under the bark flaps . By rolling the bristles up and under the flap and it holds them off the trunk .I use a fine 3-4 mm artists brush and it works a treat .Bugger {not patented yet} .Cheers