renaissance_caveman
Seedling
I have a 5 year old benjamina that, up until now, I've been growing as a bushy houseplant. I've been watching the base of the trunk fatten up and I like the roots, but the rest of the tree has no taper or low branches. I'm planning to chop it low in a couple stages and treat what's left as a grafting project.
Rather than toss the top couple feet I found a spot that I think has some potential as a clump-style. I've made a number of cuttings from this tree, but this is my first air layer. I like what @sorce did here so I tried something similar.
I used a pint size takeout container and cut a disc from an extra lid. I like that this approach is modular. Next time I do this I can swap out the lid/disc/base for versions with different sized cutouts and the remaining parts will be compatible.
I used perlite for the base and chopped sphagnum above the disc. I taped up the side of the container with packing tape. If it needs reinforcement I'll tie a couple rubber bands around it.
Topped everything off with the lid. Should be easy to lift off and water if necessary.
I'm planning to graft some branches to the base unless I get some lucky growth after chopping.
I forgot to take a true before picture, but here's what it looked like 5 years ago and after today's work. It was much bushier before I started, but I removed several long branches to make it easier to see what I was doing.
Rather than toss the top couple feet I found a spot that I think has some potential as a clump-style. I've made a number of cuttings from this tree, but this is my first air layer. I like what @sorce did here so I tried something similar.
I used a pint size takeout container and cut a disc from an extra lid. I like that this approach is modular. Next time I do this I can swap out the lid/disc/base for versions with different sized cutouts and the remaining parts will be compatible.
I used perlite for the base and chopped sphagnum above the disc. I taped up the side of the container with packing tape. If it needs reinforcement I'll tie a couple rubber bands around it.
Topped everything off with the lid. Should be easy to lift off and water if necessary.
I'm planning to graft some branches to the base unless I get some lucky growth after chopping.
I forgot to take a true before picture, but here's what it looked like 5 years ago and after today's work. It was much bushier before I started, but I removed several long branches to make it easier to see what I was doing.
