Wulfskaar's Shishigashira Maple (Lion's Head)

[Esolin]

Wrong forum, sorry. But nice tree!

 

[Wulfskaar]

I finally opened up the air layer from last year and still no roots. The part I'm trying to air layer still formed leaves and looks good. I actually did 2 but the other one died after I checked it.

There is definitely a good amount of callusing. I tried to cut and scrape the stripped area and I made it a just a little bit larger. It was difficult to get it super clean because of it's location next to other branches, but I did my best. Then I added a bit of rooting hormone and a tight wire and new sphagnum in a new bag around it. I'm hoping it works this time!

Before cleaning up.


Here is after cleanup. I wrapped, but momentarily unwrapped so I could snap a pic.

 

[JeffS73]

Best of luck, I'm trying the same this year, different climate in UK though!

 

[Wulfskaar]

Roots!!!

 

[Wulfskaar]

There's a few more roots visible on the other side.

Would it be a bad idea to separate this weekend with weather in the 80s?

 

[Wulfskaar]

There's a few more roots visible on the other side.

Would it be a bad idea to separate this weekend with weather in the 80s?

I did not separate yet...

I could probably use a little guidance on WHEN to separate.

Also, what soil would be best... APL or just akadama?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I went ahead and separated my first air layer!

I thought the roots looked like they were starting to curl around the plastic bag. The bag also had some holes in it and the hot season is coming soon, so I went for it.


After chopping and unwrapping, there weren't as many roots as I thought. Hopefully there are enough.


Here it is potted up.


Now I just wait to see if it survives.

 

[Ininaatigoons]

It was a gift from my girlfriend so I give her the credit!

Any girlfriend that goes to the nursery and comes out with a Shishigashira as a gift is definitely a keeper!

 

[Ininaatigoons]

Looks like a good job. I think it'll make it.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Just starting to show some color. This is the first fall where the leaves aren't totally crispy, so I'm hoping to see it in full color soon. The air layered tree is still green.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Just starting to show some color. This is the first fall where the leaves aren't totally crispy, so I'm hoping to see it in full color soon. The air layered tree is still green.

The leaves that started changing color got completely crispy in a Santa Ana wind event a couple weeks back and the wind blew them off. Now all that remains are about 50% of the leaves and they are still green! Fall foliage foiled again!