2006 AIRLAYERING WORKSHOPS
Airlayering Workshop Supply List:
4 cups spagnum moss-soaked in water for at least a week. Remember not to breathe dust of fungus and to wash hands after handling. Moss is best sealed in large Baggie for the day's "field work."
2 pieces of plastic wrap - each 1/2 gallon Baggie (not Ziplok)
4 6-inch twist ties
2 squares of tin foil - each appx. 12" x 12"
1 small, rough-textured rag 3" x 4" to rub cambrium off (towel okay)
1 rooting hormone with fungicide
1 sharp snippers
1 small bottle rubbing alcohol (to disinfect snippers and knife)
1 sharp pocket knife (sharp enough to shave with) MOST CRITICAL
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| Budding students of Maui Master Gardeners gather around instructors Richard Nakagawa and Terry Nutt. | This year, professional instructors were paid for by a grant from Kaulunani, State Division of Forestry. |
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Attentive students, Maui Master Gardeners Sally and Ed Baldwin and Judy Dagenhardt (L-R). |
Richard demonstrates how to aim a Swiss Army Knife. |
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Terry Nutt, of Nutt Nurseries, is propagation instructor assisting Richard Nakagawa. |
Terry Nutt modeling hois quick-draw rig for pruning. |
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Jana McMahon, Stephanie Seidman and Greg Czar (L-R). |
Jan McEwen, Maui Master Gardener leader, contributes valuable propagation technique information. |
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James Kashiwamura practices making an airlayer. |
Instructor Richard Nakagawa checks on Stephanie Seidman's practice. |
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Students search for material to airlayer, a healthy, young, actively growing branch, ideally a terminal.branch. |
Judy Daggenhardt has selected a branch of at
least 45 degrees, so roots will grow down the stem. If the angle
is greater, gravity will cause roots to grow up the stem. |
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The first step in airlayering is to cut the slit below a node. Roots will for from the node. |
The second slit is cut at a distance twice the diameter of the branch below the first slit. Bark between the cuts is removed. |
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Ann Carter cleans the slippery cambium from the cut with a textured rag. If any cambium remains, the tree may heal the cut rather than form roots. |
Rooting powder of different strengths - the higher the number, the more concentrated. Hibiscus will root with No. 1 strength. |
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Rooting powder with fungicide is applied to the cut. |
A generous handful of spahgnum (soaked for at least a week), 1.5 inches thick, is applied to prepared stem. |
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Excess water is squeezed from spahgnum, whch has been wrapped in half of a soft plastic "Baggie" is used for the wrap.. |
Hold firm and wrap, tying bottom first using plant ties. |
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It is important to achieve an air-tight wrap for proper rooting. |
Doug McLeod shows off his completed airlayer. A tin foil square is wrapped around airlayer to create a dark environment for rooting. |
Roots develop in 2-3 months. Airlayers are then cut below the moss ball and planted in pots with attached wad of moss intact., in good soil, in subdude light, watering only moderately. Gradually increase the light on the new plant. Do not use fertilizers until plant has established a good root structure.