Orangeola maple question

[tibley]

Has anyone made a bonsai out of orangeola JM cultivar? I just bought a young tree from a nursery for $30 and it has a nasty graft but im thinking about air layering it. Can I air layer this tree with it only being this thick? Or should I wait a year. Thanks. Also pretty new to the hobby so just wanna try some things out and get more experience. Would air layering this kill it?

 

[19Mateo83]

I have no clue if that one will take to air layering. For the most part, the dissectum JM are very difficult to Layer or impossible and if they do they are usually weak on their own roots. However, once that one gets some size on it that ugly graft will get swallowed by the trunk so if it was my tree, I would grow it out a bit and A, see how that graft heals, B, once it’s grown out try layering or cuttings on smaller branches, or C, plant it in the yard and enjoy it for what it is. Just my $.02 hopefully someone with more dissectum experience will chime in on this one. @penumbra ?

 

[19Mateo83]

Also, if temperatures permit, get your trees outdoors. Indoors will dry them out and kill them.

 

[rockm]

You can try to air layer it. Won't kill the understock, but the part being air layered can wind up dead if the procedure isn't effectively done.

The tree should be outdoors.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

I agree with what has been said. If the air layer fails you will just be left with the standard JM rootstock which is great.

 

[penumbra]

If you are a pro at air layering, go for it. If you are not (and most of us are not) an expert in this technique, don't sacrifice this tree. It is a very desirable cultivar.

 

[Ininaatigoons]

With Acer Palmatum cultivars the best thing to do is plant it and take cuttings and air-layers from there. Youtube's "Johnny Maple" has demonstrated successful cuttings with Orangeola. I believe that anything that can be propagated by cuttings can be propagated by airlayer. Personally my recommendation is to not try an airlayer on anything smaller than pencil thickness. The thicker the better. This is because anything thinner won't be pushing hard enough to quickly make roots. Also, it is a lot harder for a thin branch to support the weight of the airlayer medium. I always use green spagnum moss.