juniper layers?

[wireme]

Has anyone layered old juniper branches? How long did it take before they could be removed?

I'm thinking of trying to layer a few unneeded branches on some collected trees. I'll spend a bit more time pondering to be sure I don't need them for design or jinn and also carefully check to see where live veins will be affected. I'm pretty sure these can go.

Any tips or ideas appreciated.

Some pics in case someone wants to tell me I'm crazy to remove the branches.

First one is the back branch of this tree, collected this spring.

 

[wireme]

Next tree, the lowest branch on all pics, also collected this year.

 

[wireme]

Another, uppermost branch would make a great bunjin.

This one I'm less certain of design and the veins are fabulous so I'll probably hold off the decision for a bit. Collected spring 2013, probably repot next year.

 

[jk_lewis]

I don't do many layers. I'd turn these into cuttings -- and use rooting hormone.

 

[Ris]

What type of junipers are these?

 

[wireme]

I don't do many layers. I'd turn these into cuttings -- and use rooting hormone.

Really, old branches of this size? I could see it being possible as cuttings with enough misting but would have thought layering more likely to succeed.

 

[wireme]

What type of junipers are these?

The first I believe to be a rmj and j. Horizontalis hybrid.

The other two rocky mountain juniper.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Cuttings from branches older than a year or two won't work here. At least not for me.
I just removed a 1" branch layer from a shimpaku that took 6 months to root; started in spring. I'd show a photo, but I haven't been able to upload anything in days...

At first glance, I'd be really sure you don't want a branch in the final design before you make a layer from it.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I'd show a photo, but I haven't been able to upload anything in days...

iOS 8 update screwed you too?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

iOS 8 update screwed you too?

Must be the problem; I now have a full keyboard of smiley faces and a row of constant word guesses, but can't slap up a photo...sweet.

It still beats my SP3 which insists on restarting with a new update every day.

Were you at the Nationals? You were one of 3-4 folks I was on the lookout for but never quite connected with.

 

[amkhalid]

Has anyone layered old juniper branches? How long did it take before they could be removed?

I'm thinking of trying to layer a few unneeded branches on some collected trees. I'll spend a bit more time pondering to be sure I don't need them for design or jinn and also carefully check to see where live veins will be affected. I'm pretty sure these can go.

Any tips or ideas appreciated.

Some pics in case someone wants to tell me I'm crazy to remove the branches.

First one is the back branch of this tree, collected this spring.

Hey man,

I've layered young junipers with ease but never tried old junipers. Everything always seems harder with old trees... I've seen Japanese articles where they approach graft the roots from juniper whips in order to layer sections of old yamadori. Doesn't seem much more time consuming than layering (prob about two years). I would definitely try this before layering as a failed layer could be fatal to the section above the girdle.

Then again, if the tree isn't extremely important to you, maybe try a traditional layer. Who knows, it might work!

Best of luck, I would be very interested to follow the results.

 

[amkhalid]

And I agree that doesn't look like standard RMJ! You might have something cool there.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Must be the problem; I now have a full keyboard of smiley faces and a row of constant word guesses, but can't slap up a photo...sweet.

It still beats my SP3 which insists on restarting with a new update every day.

Were you at the Nationals? You were one of 3-4 folks I was on the lookout for but never quite connected with.

I'm fairly certain its a problem with the update that is causing it. It's my understanding that it is an issue with not just Safari, but other browsers as well. Hopefully Apple puts out an update to fix it soon.

I wasn't able to make the Nationals, unfortunately. It would have been great to meet you and buy you the long overdue beer I owe for all the help you have given me. It will happen one day though!

 

[wireme]

Cuttings from branches older than a year or two won't work here. At least not for me.
I just removed a 1" branch layer from a shimpaku that took 6 months to root; started in spring. I'd show a photo, but I haven't been able to upload anything in days...

At first glance, I'd be really sure you don't want a branch in the final design before you make a layer from it.

For sure, I wouldn't take a layer unless the decision to remove the branch anyways is clear.

6 months sounds promising as I'm not sure a partially complete layer would overwinter on the tree for me. Also having to put up with a branch I don't want obscuring the tree design for two years might be more than I have patience for. Unless it is a really worthy piece of material above the layer. I'll likely try the first tree shown next spring and try to follow up.

 

[Alain]

On another forum I saw a thread about air layering a juniper.
It was a chinensis that looked as old as yours. The guy started the layering end of February and severed the branch end of September.

 

[sorce]

Hey Brian.

I want to AL my Nana. Spring.

Same procedure as a d tree?

Thanks

Sorce

 

[fore]

I have one going on an old rmj that I started late in June. It's about 3/4" D. I haven't poked around, but it's growing very well right now, so at the very least, looks like it'll girdle that I can then try the approach graft next yr. This whole tree is for learning so I'm going for the gusto, responsibly

 

[wireme]

On another forum I saw a thread about air layering a juniper.
It was a chinensis that looked as old as yours. The guy started the layering end of February and severed the branch end of September.

Nice, I guess he is not in zone 3 but promising results and good info nonetheless.

 

[wireme]

I have one going on an old rmj that I started late in June. It's about 3/4" D. I haven't poked around, but it's growing very well right now, so at the very least, looks like it'll girdle that I can then try the approach graft next yr. This whole tree is for learning so I'm going for the gusto, responsibly

Thanks, let us know what you find when you do poke around.

 

[Alain]

Nice, I guess he is not in zone 3 but promising results and good info nonetheless.

Well actually he is in France!