To air layer or not to air layer?

Hi I am new here but I've been growing bonsai's for a while now. I have learned on my own but have just got into reading up on techniques, styles, etc. I grew up at a nursery so I come by the green thumb that way. My quandry though is this.

I have this Japanese maple that I have been growing for about 4 years now. I am ready to start working with it more but I'm not sure if I want to make it a large bonsai or air layer it and get two or three trees from it. Follow the link to an see it. I would love to get input from more experienced at this. My other bonsai's are a cypress and a jade plant. The jade is also shown on this link which is about 15 years old that I grew from a leaf. The base of it is about 3.5 inches in diameter.

I look forward to your input.

Two of my bonsai

We prefer pics to be posted here, rather than links. There's a tutorial on how to do it in the Testing section.

The answer is, it's up to you to decide what you want, you could do either. Maples air layer quite easily, so if you need experience it could be a good project.

Kev Bailey wrote:We prefer pics to be posted here, rather than links. There's a tutorial on how to do it in the Testing section.

The answer is, it's up to you to decide what you want, you could do either. Maples air layer quite easily, so if you need experience it could be a good project.

Thanks Kev. Everything that I read about air layering so far gave me the feeling that this would be an easy project. I am looking forward to getting this started. I have read that late spring or when the new leaves are beginning to harden is the best time to start the layering. I'm guessing this is so that the new growth is not stunted by cutting the trunk (or limb). Am I correct about that?

My apologies about the link to the pics. I read your message to me after the fact about the pics. I will follow protocol from now on.

Thanks
Calvin

Is it okay to air layer if the bark is green or should I work on a branch that is harder bark?

I have been studying this tree since before I first posted this thread and I want to air layer a part of it where it is green bark. I am assuming it is giving the knowledge I have of horticulture but I want to check with the experts before I proceed. I have everything I need to get started.

ScribbleJ wrote:Is it okay to air layer if the bark is green or should I work on a branch that is harder bark?

Since your working on Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) green bark is just fine to use for your air-layering project.

Randy_Davis wrote:

ScribbleJ wrote:Is it okay to air layer if the bark is green or should I work on a branch that is harder bark?

Since your working on Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) green bark is just fine to use for your air-layering project.

Thanks Randy. I figured as much. Always good to make check when your not certain.

Calvin