A few days ago we talked about the layering technique, a method of plant multiplication widely used throughout the world.
As we have mentioned, there are many types of elbows, with the simple and multiple elbows being two of the simplest options. But there are more types of layering, so today we are going to delve into air layering , a variant of this technique that is chosen when multiplying trees .
What is?
Although air layering is frequent in the case of trees, it is also common to use it to multiply shrubs, climbers and some indoor plants , such as the azalea or the camel.
The technique differs from that of simple layering because the birth of roots is stimulated from a branch that remains hanging in the air . If the simple layering happens at ground level, in this case the layering is aerial precisely because the process takes place without the need to tie the branch to the ground or to a support. The area is usually covered with plastic or plastic tape for best results.
The best time for air layering is spring in the case of trees and shrubs that are outside, as indoor plants can be layered throughout the year.
How it is performed?
The first thing to do is select a branch and make a ring of bark, always about 30 cm from the tip of the branch. Then powder of rooting hormones is placed and finally a piece of transparent plastic is taken and the branch is covered to then hold it on one side and thus form a cone that is then filled with blond peat.
Then a little water is added to moisten the peat and the area is covered with newspaper, uncovering every two weeks. When the roots surround the plastic inside, it is the right time to cut the new branch, always with a clean cut below the roots.
