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Acer Palmatum Questions
I bought this lovely Japanese Maple at my local nursery the other day :-).
It's a lot more mature than the saplings I've been having so much touble with - about 5' high and about 1cm diameter at the base. It looks very healthy , just a touch of mealy bug which I've already sprayed for. I'm going to chop it at some point, but would like the trunk to get a bit thicker first. In the mean time I want to get a few more plants out of this nice tree. Everything I've seen here leads me to beleive that it is notoriously difficult to get cuttings from A. Palmatum to strike. How about layering? And what about multiple layers from the one trunk? I'd like to make this one tree into 3, and get some variety of forms - single trunk at the base, and probably 2 dual trunks higher up, making branches into secondary trunks by layering just under them. What's the best way to go? Should I layer higher up the trunk, let the tree recover for a year then layer off again lower where I want the first chop? Or would it be better to layer it lower down, where I want the first chop to go, then repot the layered tree and layer that one again later? Also, what's the best medium for layering A. almatum? (And the Liquidambar for that matter, I forgot to ask). Would sphagnum moss work, or some other medium? |
#2
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Acer Palmatum Questions
Hi James,
See below. "James Quinan" wrote: I bought this lovely Japanese Maple at my local nursery the other day :-). It's a lot more mature than the saplings I've been having so much touble with - about 5' high and about 1cm diameter at the base. It looks very healthy , just a touch of mealy bug which I've already sprayed for. 5' high and 1 cm in diameter?? Sounds more like a stick with attitude than a tree :-). SNIP How about layering? And what about multiple layers from the one trunk? I'd like to make this one tree into 3, and get some variety of forms - single trunk at the base, and probably 2 dual trunks higher up, making branches into secondary trunks by layering just under them. I've never had a problem with an air layer for A.palmatum. I've taken as many as 6 at a time from a single tree (which might explain why I have too many now). When I do multiple layers I limit myself to about two from a single branch line, and haven't done one below another at the same time. Imagine a -Y- with the tail being the branch attached to the trunk and layering both the upper sections. This works. What's the best way to go? Should I layer higher up the trunk, let the tree recover for a year then layer off again lower where I want the first chop? This sounds like the best way for the tree you described. I've never layered a tree that was still in it's nursery pot. I don't have the faith that they are as healthy as they can be when they come from the nursery. I know the trees I work with definately benefit from a year or more under my care before I consider them in top health. Or would it be better to layer it lower down, where I want the first chop to go, then repot the layered tree and layer that one again later? I think you're in Oz, and if so you have plenty of time to decide for yourself which way to go. Me, I'd repot come spring and grow some really healthy roots this next season, and use the time to decide where the best layers will be. Also, what's the best medium for layering A. almatum? (And the Liquidambar for that matter, I forgot to ask). Would sphagnum moss work, or some other medium? I use sphagnum and have never had a problem. Good luck, Regards, Shelly Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9 |
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