Protecting a marcot

Hi everyone,

I have a few marcots (air layers) on some thick (lower) branches on a huge Atlas Cedar, and I was wondering what is the best protection against frost?
Temperatures get around -20 degrees Celcius (-4 F) on the coldest days, but not for very long.
It also snows a lot, so that could be a plus, since it keeps the temperatures at around zero degrees C.

I was thinking of wrapping it with bubble wrap. I have a big roll of it to protect some of my pines during winter.
But I'm worried about it catching mold, since the layers are locked off from the outside from the wrapping, stimulating fungus

Anyone have experience with strong winters and air layers?

Thanks, Remco

No one?

I have very limited experience, but I put 2 air layers on a crabapple last spring. One of them rooted and was removed in the summer, the other didn't root last year. I just left it alone through our zone 6 winter (minimum temp -10 F, long periods well below freezing). The layer was several feet above ground so the snow gave no protection. This spring I replaced the ratty old moss and re-wrapped it, and it produced roots within a couple of months.

I don't know if the species you are layering requires more protection. Have any roots formed at all?

Chris

Chris,

I've checked the layers and it hasn't developed enough roots for now.
They are thick branches, about 2 1/2 inches diameter each and about 4-5 feet long, so my best choice is to let it keep developing roots to support the foliage.

I've chosen 2 hanging branches with movement in them, eventually going to use them for cascade or semi cascade.
I used spaghnum moss, sand and a little bit of regular garden mix soil (you know... the stuff from the gardening center) to keep it moist.

I was planning on rewrapping it before the real cold comes, using more soil and add another layer of bubblewrap just to be safe.

Greets, Remco

OK, so you do have some roots...in that case, I've heard that it is recommended to give some additional protection. The bubble wrap and additional soil might be enough, but I don't have experience doing this...hopefully someone else can help out!

Chris

One problem, wonder if you know this but Cedars are plageotropic. A branch will always grow as a branch. You need to layer the leader off, if you want it to resemble a tree. I suppose you could use them all as cascade or windswept. Ah, edited this after I read your next post. You are already thinking along the correct lines.

I'd give it a few wraps of bubble wrap, it should then be fine.