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Hinoki air layer – preparation

May 3, 2013 by Jonas Dupuich

About a year has passed since I picked up two large Tempelhof hinoki with the aim as developing them as bonsai (see “New hinoki bonsai“). The first real bonsai work began last year when I repotted one of the trees. As I dug down to locate the surface roots, I discovered that the tree was grafted. As the transition from understock to scion was stark, I held off on any further work and thought about whether or not to attempt an air layer. I left the second tree alone.

Over the past year I asked around for any information about whether or not air layers work well for hinoki. I found no evidence either way. Not happy with the unsightly graft line, I decided to layer both trees this spring.

Of course, as I’d only found the surface roots on the first tree, I had some work ahead of me to find the surface roots on the second. Here is the tree right out of the pot.

Hinoki

Tempelhof hinoki cypress

After removing a couple inches of soil, I had yet to find a surface root, and as I was combing through a solid mass of roots, the work was slow.

Starting to remove the roots

Two inches down, several more to go

The continued digging paid off and I finally found the graft line and a surface root.

Searching for the surface root

Surface root revealed

Surface root

Graft line

I then removed the rest of the soil covering the surface roots. I was struck, as I worked, by the different root growth in the different soils in which the tree was planted. I believe the tree got its start in Oregon. After several years in the ground, the tree was balled and burlapped and planted in coarse organic soil. Given the choice between growing in clay or in some combination of bark and sawdust, the newer roots opted for the organic mix.

Exposing the surface roots

Two very different soils

Different soils

Roots above, clay below

Trimming stray roots

Profusion of roots with some burlap peeking through

It took between one and two hours to remove around 6″ of soil and roots, but with the graft now well-exposed, I can proceed with the layer – details next week.

Ready to begin

Ready for the layer!

✕

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Filed Under: Bonsai Development Tagged With: Air Layer, Hinoki

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. eschmidtpabonsai says

    May 3, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    Im curious to see how it works out. I will be looking forward to any updates on the status of air layers 🙂

  2. Brian says

    May 7, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Hi Jonas
    I am sure they layer easily. I have one that layerd by it self in my landscape . It is 2 1/2 inches at the base. I am sure if you use a typical procedure you should have no trouble . With one you should try it right in the ground. It should be easier. Take your ring of bark off , put your ring of wire on and just bury it in the back yard.
    Good luck
    Qualicum Brian

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