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Large cryptomeria air layer – part 2

May 17, 2013 by Jonas Dupuich

Sixteen months into a layering project for a large cryptomeria, it was time to separate the layer (see “Large cryptomeria air layer – part 1“).

Cryptomeria air layer

September 2012 – time to make the cut

Over the previous nine months, roots had grown to fill the makeshift pot, pushing the soil almost half of an inch above the edge.

Roots pushing the soil out of the pot

Full of roots

Plenty of new roots

Roots growing on the surface of the soil

Below, the original cut was plainly visible. This is where I’ll make the cut.

Ring where the bark was removed

View from below

I didn’t worry about cutting too close to the base of the new roots as leaving a stub allows me to rest the trunk on the bottom of the new pot, relieving pressure from the new roots and adding stability.

Removing the layer

Sawing away

Almost through

Almost there

A new tree is born

Look ma – a new tree!

Layer removed

Layer removed

With a little cajoling, I popped off the old pot. Here’s the view from underneath.

Lots of roots

Roots everywhere

I lightly combed out the new roots growing on the surface of the soil and around the edges so the roots could find purchase in new soil. I didn’t remove additional soil as there was nothing but good soil and root-mass within.

After combing out the roots

After combing out the roots

From here, I treated the layer like a normal rootball and tied it into the new pot with wire.

Wired into the pot

Securing the rootball

For further stability, I fixed two wires to a high branch.

Repotting complete

Separation/repotting complete – 34″

It felt great to finally place the tree on a bench. In another year or so, I can actually start the bonsai work. This too will be an adventure as I have much to learn about actually working with cryptomeria!

✕

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

Previous Post: « Large cryptomeria air layer – part 1
Next Post: Yaupon holly – before and after »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. leemalerich says

    May 17, 2013 at 4:41 am

    i have always wondered what air-layering was. thanks! what happens to the mother tree?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      May 17, 2013 at 7:16 am

      If there is foliage below, the mother tree is fine. In this case, I tossed out the base of the trunk.

  2. eschmidtpabonsai says

    May 17, 2013 at 9:10 am

    Well done! Can’t wait to see the future progression of this tree. 🙂

  3. Bruce Winter says

    May 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Excellent work Jonas! Tsugi root so easily and swell naturally at the base. They love living in a rain forrest so that’s a clue about creating a micro climate for them.

  4. Gene Martin says

    May 27, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    Jonas – have you ever air layered a landscape cryptomeria? Would you expect any major differences from the process you documented?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      May 27, 2013 at 5:57 pm

      Hi Gene – I haven’t, but I’d expect the results to be the same. The cryptomeria I bought was made from a landscape tree.

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