Big Clones.....and air layers.....

[ganjygav]

I have zero success with cloning and I give up on continuing to even try. Apparently this makes me a bad person haha. So anyway I was pointed in the direction of this thread, never had heard of this technique but it seems awesome and I reckon I'm gonna give this a try next time rather than snipping bits off the plant. Thank you

 

[Budley Doright]

There is no reason you cant clone.....

In my sig is a very successful cloning thread......

If you dont get cuts to root....most likely is due to temps.......

I use a very simple tech ....and watch temps like a hawk......

If you need some help just pm me.....

My experiments with air layers have been put on hold for a couple months due to some changes in my grow......

but I will be back....with a vengeance .....

 

[Ichabod Crane]

When you air layer it it is important to make sure you completely strip the out side all the way around.

 

[Budley Doright]

You know what I would like to find???

Have you seen one of those tools the wire stripper gizmo????

In situation where this is used on more barky???? barky....lol

they make a circular cut all the way around the branch.....about an inch apart.....

Ive been looking for a tool that would do those cuts....then simply remove the material between the cuts....

The wire stripper thingy is just too small....

 

[Ichabod Crane]

I use my thumb nail. I scrape the out side down in one spot. Then I get my nail under the strands and pull them out. If they dont break I cut them with some fiskars. I really shred the out side. Then i make sure that I have about a inch clear all the way around. This is the hardest part for most people.

 

[Budley Doright]

I did this with some cherry trees....

two circular cuts.... then a cut to connect the 2 circles....

the material came off in one piece..... and fast....

I will be looking for something...

 

[Ichabod Crane]

I cant confirm it but it is my guess that doing as I mentioned above roots faster than a slice around the out side. It is my guess that by shredding it that you end up with more area to root from. All those still connected fibers have a lot more surface area than a nice clean cut. Sort of the same thing you get from taking a angled cut for a clone. Or splitting the stem when you clone.

 

[oti$]

I started three air layer branches last night, forgot to take pics; I cut a small cup down to about 1/3 if is original size with a hole in the bittom for the branch and a slit fastened back together with zip ties and tape then filled with coco. I did not cover the top of the cup, it's just like a tiny pot, will the open top make a difference?

 

[Ichabod Crane]

I dont know if it will make a difference or not. I do it so the coco does not dry out.

 

[Budley Doright]

Once my veg plants get big enough ....

I plan to start my air layers with rapid rooters.....

Once I see some roots I plan use the cut off bottle and the neoprene collar for root expansion....

 

[HerBnGorE(illa)]

Hello all! Just wanted to stop in and say thanks for this thread. Just finished my first attempt at air layering. It was a success!

 

[Budley Doright]

Hello all! Just wanted to stop in and say thanks for this thread. Just finished my first attempt at air layering. It was a success!

How big did you go???

 

[HerBnGorE(illa)]

Budley, I am a micro grower, so it was small. About the same size as a "normal clone". I never checked on progress as I went, but at day 14 it was fully rooted. I ringed the branch, applied hormone, and wrapped with just a small piece of rockwool. Then wrapped the rockwool in plastic leaving the top and bottom open. The top so I could drip in water, and the bottom so excess water could escape. Just kept it moist by dripping water once a day. Simple. Thanks all for the advice!

 

[Budley Doright]

Good job..... Im of the opinion that larger clones will actually be easier.......

 

[oti$]

I'm going to post my progress here if that's cool, I haven't been using rooting hormone lately, just because I have forgotten clone supplies every time I've been to the hydro who're, but I have to go this week so I may remember and if I do I will apply powder/gel to two of the three I've done to see how much faster I get roots.

I've done three like this one, this limb is about 18".

 

[Budley Doright]

Just a suggestion to those who might like to try air layering.....

Find yourself a stem from a decent sized branch..... take it to your desk....

And ring the branch.....

JUst use your thumbnail..... scrape some material with your thumb.... go around and around.....

eventually you will expose the white inner core.....the ring can be as little as 1/4 inch all the way around.....

This will demonstrate what has to be done while its still on the plant.....

and granted it more difficult on the plant.....

Take a piece of stem the immediate green layer the cambium transports leaf energy to the roots.....

If you ring the limb that leaf energy will cause the limb to root.....

all the while the inner core will keep the new cutting healthy via the connection to moms roots.....

 

[Budley Doright]

Here are a couple air layers......

these were done using rapid rooters......

I cut open one side of the rapid rooter....then used some green twist tie wire to hold the rapid root on....until its rooted......

I suspect at this size.....8 to 12 inches they would be fine after a day or two in a plastic bag......

These were just practice....they are headed for the compost heap....

 

[Budley Doright]

There has been one thing about this air layering process that has been bugging me.... alot...

how to efficiently cut the ring on the branch......

So after much dorking and schmoozing at lowes..... I found a handy tool..... and its cheap......

It the good ole alligator clip.....

Ive done a few test cuts and it works quite well.....

You can spin the clip around the branch..... the clip will cut two parallel cuts very quickly..... then its easy to remove the material between the cuts with your thumb nail....

the alligator clip allows you to control the pressure somewhat......

the outer cambium cuts pretty easy....the inner core is tougher and will not cut easily.....

It may take some practice and a certain amount of touch..... but it seems to be pretty perfect for the job.....

and when you get done roll a fattie and use the clip like we always have..... for the roach......

 

[who dat is]

There has been one thing about this air layering process that has been bugging me.... alot...

how to efficiently cut the ring on the branch......

So after much dorking and schmoozing at lowes..... I found a handy tool..... and its cheap......

It the good ole alligator clip.....

Ive done a few test cuts and it works quite well.....

You can spin the clip around the branch..... the clip will cut two parallel cuts very quickly..... then its easy to remove the material between the cuts with your thumb nail....

the alligator clip allows you to control the pressure somewhat......

the outer cambium cuts pretty easy....the inner core is tougher and will not cut easily.....

It may take some practice and a certain amount of touch..... but it seems to be pretty perfect for the job.....

and when you get done roll a fattie and use the clip like we always have..... for the roach......

What about using a pipe cutter? One that has the circle blade that plumbers use to cut copper pipe? They come in pretty small sizes too that would be less cumbersome spinning around a branch.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_150933-21365-55293___?productId=4084148&pl=1&Ntt=pipe+cutter

 

[Ichabod Crane]

I think you guys are over thinking it. Just use the thumbnail. It has worked every time I used it. And if it gets worn down it self repairs.