Hi Les,

Thanks for unlurking, it's questions like yours that keep the list
going.

Good start with the Larch but you now need to exercise a lot of
patience. The white roots that you have noted are extremely brittle and
unlikely to support (in every sense) a layer of any size greater than
matchstick thick itself. The whole layer should be left as it is and
watered when necessary for at least a couple of months, preferably
longer.

If roots are 1" and are touching the plastic already, you could
(extremely carefully) remove the plastic, wrap another layer of sphagnum
at least as much again in a ball shape around the existing one. Then
re-wrap with plastic. This is a dangerous manoeuvre though as the young
roots can easily be damaged. Two pairs of hands would be an advantage!

When the roots have turned to creamish brown and are coiling around
inside the layer is about the right time to remove it. This would be
best done after leaf fall or in spring.

A light and airy soil mix will help prevent any damage. I've found that
the greatest aid to success after removal is secure tying to the pot.
ANY movement at this stage usually leads to failure. I don't attempt to
do any root sorting at first potting time, though some do. I leave it a
year so they have a chance to harden a little.

Cheers

Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales


I have been lurking for a while now, taking advantage of all the
erudition and wisdom this group has to offer without having to expose
myself and my ignorance. But I guess all good things (or at least easy
things) must end and I need to impose on you to help me solve a problem.

I need some advice on the proper procedure for separating a layered
larch. The tree is a Larix kaempferi that is approx. five years old and
is the first tree I have ever successfully layered, that is, it is the
first tree I have managed to get to root by this method. It has produced
four or five rather blunt, matchstick diameter roots of approximately a
half inch in length. These roots are white with red tips. There are no
fine root hairs, just these rather coarse looking roots poking through
the sphagnum moss and out to the clear plastic in which it is wrapped.

My question is this: What do I do now?

Do I cut it and plant it in my regular mix that I use for cuttings
(coarse sand, lava rock, turface, and perlite) or do I wait for more and
finer roots to develop in the sphagnum.

Temperatures here (Vancouver, Canada) have been very warm lately - 25 to
30 celsius (I'm guessing 80 to 90 farenheit) during the hottest part of
the day. If I cut it now, should I keep it in the shade for a while?
(The layering process has taken place in full midday sun).

If I separate it now, how long should I wait before starting to
fertilize my new tree?

I have checked the archives but either my search terms are wrong or
questions and answers about layering end with wrapping up the moss and
keeping it moist because aI cannot find anything about timing, planting,
soil type, etc. so if anyone can advise me here, I would really
appreciate it.

And, yes, I do plan to contact and perhaps join a local club in the near
future. I just don't want my larch to die in the meantime.

Thanx in advance for your help,
Les



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