Layering

What is layering?

Layering is a method of vegetative propagation in which a stem or shoot is encouraged to form roots while it remains attached to the parent plant. After a sufficient root system has developed, the rooted section is separated and established as an independent plant.

When is it useful?

Layering can be useful for plants with flexible stems or branches that can be brought into contact with soil or another suitable rooting medium. Because the shoot remains connected to the parent while roots are developing, it continues to receive water and nutrients during the rooting process.

Basic procedure

1. Select a healthy, vigorous and suitably flexible shoot from the parent plant.
2. Choose a section of the shoot that can be brought into contact with moist soil or rooting medium while the growing tip remains exposed.
3. Where appropriate for the species, lightly wound or scrape the part of the stem that will be buried to encourage rooting.
4. Place that section in contact with the rooting medium and secure it so that it cannot move out of position.
5. Cover the rooting section while leaving an appropriate part of the shoot, usually including the growing tip, exposed.
6. Keep the rooting area adequately moist while roots develop.
7. Check for sufficient root development before separating the new plant from the parent.
8. Cut the rooted layer from the parent plant and transplant it carefully to its intended growing location.

Different forms of layering

Several variations of layering are used in horticulture. In simple layering, one section of a shoot is rooted while the end remains above ground. Other forms may involve several sections of a long shoot or the burial of a larger part of a stem. The appropriate technique depends on the growth habit of the species.

Layering and air layering

Both methods allow a shoot to form roots while it is still attached to the parent plant. In ordinary layering, the shoot is brought to the rooting medium, usually at or near ground level. In air layering, a rooting medium is instead placed around an aerial part of a stem or branch. Air layering is therefore recorded as a separate propagation method at Yuyo.

Important

Not all species root readily by layering. The best shoot age, season, rooting position, possible wounding and time required for root formation vary between species. Always check the species-specific propagation information before layering a plant.