[pickapeppa]

I've cloned some shrubs here, lilacs of different varieties, one is impossible to find anymore but just beautiful. It doesn't clone so well as the white ones. I've read up, and saved the instructions on tissue culture and wanted to do this to expand the raspberry patch, but alas, other life priorities took over my time. It's on the back burner, and will be useful knowledge some day.

Welcome back, CN.

:kissy:

 

[jasper]

Propagating by air-layering

If you've read my post on soil-layering then you're already a couple of steps ahead. Air-layering is a very similar procedure but rather than keeping the cut stem below the ground the process keeps it in the air.

It's a very successful technique which can be applied to most of the same plants that can be soil-layered. Read on for how to do it...

To propagate by soil-layering use the following steps;

1. Locate a suitable stem find a leggy, pliable stem that grows leaves along it.
2. Make an underside incision find a place along the stem that won't reach the ground. Make an incision on the stem at upward slant, taking care not to cut through more than 1/3 of the stem.
3. Dust with hormone powder if you don't want to risk the result use a little of the powder or gel around the cut.
4. Premoisten your sphagnum moss the key to successfully propagating by air-layering is that the sphagnum moss remains moist thoughout the process. If it dries out, the roots will suffer before they start and will wither and die.
5. Encase the incision with the sphagnum moss make sure the sphagnum moss is packed heavily around the cut so as to not leave any area exposed. Then wrap plastic wrap around the moss and tie each end securely using electricians tape. This will keep the moss from drying out.

The benefit of the plastic wrap is that you will be able to see when the roots have begun to form and will know when it is time to cut the new plant away.

6. Plant it out cut the stem just below the moss leaving the upper part of the stem with leaves intact. Remove the plastic keeping the moss still tight against the new plant and plant out in some premium potting mix. Keep your new plant in a greenhouse or under plastic for a couple of weeks as it establishes itself in the pot.


http://www.gardeningtipsnideas.com/2006/02/propagating_by_air_layering.html

 

[rwinsouthla]

Actually Zebraman there is a technique that propogates while still attached to the original stock plant. I will make a point of finding it online some place and posting it here. The name of the technique is just not coming to me at the moment.

If I understand correctly grafting is taking one plant and "attaching" it to root stock that will grow better in a particular environment.

I will find it and post it here tomorrow hopefully

www.freeplants.com enter his site. Look on the left side and scroll down. Could it be budding? Grafting is mentioned there too but I think it may be budding. His site is a bit annoying with all of the "buy this" and "buy that" around but lots of good info.

 

[Jenn]

Thanks for explaining that. I have some great lantana here I could use for my education.

I have ornamental cherry trees too and have to figure out how to do it with those. As they can't be bent to the ground I have heard there is a way to make a cut and pack something in the opening, then it's wrapped for a long period of time. I know that sounds sketchy as I have not investigated it all yet.

Not a cloner really but have heard of/seen air cloning- wrap plastic bag of moist dirt around (maybe nicked) branch just as if you were layering it on the ground if the branches reached it. Needs more water than ground.

 

[Zebraman]

Hey Jasper;That is Air-Layering.You make a slanted cut upwards half way through the stem.Use a matchstick to keep the slit open, wrap entire area with Sphagnom Moss,moist and wrap with plastic wrap.Secure top and bottom with twist ties.Liquid rooting hormone is way easier.-