Air layering

Air Layering Steps:

When it comes to woody plants, propagation is tricky. Transplanting directly from a woody cutting will often result in failure if you use traditional methods of cloning. Instead, use a method known as air layering!

Air layering differs from traditional plant propagation because the stem remains attached to the plant you are cloning during propagation.

Like Traditional methods of propagation, air layering will take time. 4 weeks is the minimum amount of time, but you will likely need to wait 6 weeks, possibly 8.

A Simple Guide to Air Layering

1. Choose a healthy stem or branch that is at least 1/2 inch in diameter. When selecting this stem or branch, look for a node.
2. Make a shallow cut around the circumference of the bark approximately 1 inch below the node. You are not cutting through the bark, so don’t use too much force here. Make a second, identical cut 1 inch below the first cut.
3. Create a vertical cut between the two horizontal cuts to assist in peeling back the bark to expose the cambium layer. Cambium is the “skin” of plants that exists beneath the bark. It is composed of stem cells, which we are hoping to force to develop into roots.
4. (While not necessary, its helpful to have a rooting powder to speed up the process.) Apply rooting powder to the exposed cambium.
5. Pack the cut area with sphagnum moss, peat moss, coco coir, or your choice of growing medium. Moisten the growing medium.
6. Place the growing medium into plastic wrap then secure it to the branch around the exposed cambium with zip ties or specialized plant twine. If you’re using zip ties, make sure that you do not over tighten the tie.
7. Wrap aluminum foil around the plastic wrap. The growing medium should not be visible.
8. After 4-8 weeks, check the area for roots. Once roots have formed, cut the branch from the parent plant then re-pot or replant the branch. Your roots have already been established so the transplant should go smoothly!