Air Layering Japanese Maple

When is a good time to commence an air layering of a Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum?

I started an air layer on a japanese maple 30 days ago - in late April. It has roots already that are about 1.5 inches long. I used a cloning gel and sphagnum moss wrapped in plastic wrap then alum foil. I plan on separating the layer from the mother plant this week.

Frank

Frank, don't be so hasty! Roots only a an inch and a half long aren't nearly ready to support anything larger than a twig with a couple of leaves. Assuming your air layer is a branch with many leaves, you need to let it grow roots unitl they almost fill the bag of moss. You shouldn't really be inspecting it until late summer, as you are very likely to damage the fine new roots every time you take a look. Just make sure it doesn't dry out.

Now is the right time to be air layering most things, in the northern hemisphere. I generally do my layers when the first flush of new leaves have hardened off.

Kev, Thanks. The layer is about 5 or 6 inches in total height - I plan on a shohin size tree. I was wondering how long to let it grow before separating. Thanks

Frank

On any AL's I have done on maples/Acers, I have always without exception waited until June as a yard stick or if the weather was 20 plus C in mid May.

Mike