air-layering jbp

i was just wondering if anyone had any experience doing this...im going to attempt to air-layer a jpb this year...on old wood none the less...my real question is what kind of rooting hormone would be best...i am assuming hormex #8, but if anyone has had any experience and would like to share their experience that would be awesome...and yes i know jpb isnt easy to air-layer, and yes i know that it's even harder on old wood...

I don't think it is a good idea to use stronger IBA powders than 8000 ppm (Hormex #. After a couple of years using RootOne (0.2% NAA), I tried 1.6% IBA powders last season (recommended by Dirr & Heuser for cuttings) and it induces anthocyanins (leaves get reddish). The orange-red of anthocyanins are actually very pretty and intensify in fall, especially if the JM is in full sun. The problem though, is that the rooting response was weakened, which I think also means that the photosynthetic apparatus was damaged using 1.6% IBA.

After several years of air layering JBPs I am coming to think that rooting hormones may be totally unnecessary for JBP air-layers, but I've yet to test this theory. I just suggest that you don't use anything stronger than Hormex #8 if you want successful JM air-layers.

0soyoung wrote:I don't think it is a good idea to use stronger IBA powders than 8000 ppm (Hormex #. After a couple of years using RootOne (0.2% NAA), I tried 1.6% IBA powders last season (recommended by Dirr & Heuser for cuttings) and it induces anthocyanins (leaves get reddish). The orange-red of anthocyanins are actually very pretty and intensify in fall, especially if the JM is in full sun. The problem though, is that the rooting response was weakened, which I think also means that the photosynthetic apparatus was damaged using 1.6% IBA.

After several years of air layering JBPs I am coming to think that rooting hormones may be totally unnecessary for JBP air-layers, but I've yet to test this theory. I just suggest that you don't use anything stronger than Hormex #8 if you want successful JM air-layers.

well...i know that Mr Muranaka (central coast of california) layers JPB with no rooting hormone, but he is usually air-layering on wood that is only 1-2 yrs old...i am looking at layering from wood that is older than that...maybe hormex #3 would be best for what i am doing...or dip n grow? i think in concentrate form it is 10,000 ppm, so i can mix at 2:3 ratio and end up with 4000 ppm IBA...

almost forgot...thanks for the reply, it was very helpfull.

Have to tried to contact Mr Muranaka directly?
george@muranakabonsai.com

Xavier de Lapeyre wrote:Have to tried to contact Mr Muranaka directly?
george@muranakabonsai.com

yeah...i talked to him last summer, but like i said, he does his air-layers on newer wood than what i am planning...