Wulfskaar's Shishigashira Maple (Lion's Head)
- Thread starter Wulfskaar
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- lions head shishigashira
Wulfskaar
Omono
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.
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
Chumono
Best of luck, I'm trying the same this year, different climate in UK though!
Wulfskaar
Omono
Roots!!!
Wulfskaar
Omono
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?
Would it be a bad idea to separate this weekend with weather in the 80s?
Wulfskaar
Omono
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
Omono
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.
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
Shohin
Any girlfriend that goes to the nursery and comes out with a Shishigashira as a gift is definitely a keeper!It was a gift from my girlfriend so I give her the credit!
Ininaatigoons
Shohin
Looks like a good job. I think it'll make it.
Wulfskaar
Omono
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
Omono
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!
Wulfskaar
Omono
The air-layered tree is about to pop! I'm really happy it's alive and on it's own roots.
Ininaatigoons
Shohin
Awesome
Wulfskaar
Omono
I love the bright green spring leaves of the Shishigashira!
Here is the air-layered tree + squirrel deterrent. I think it just needs to grow a few years to gain size and strength. I look forward to styling it one day.
Here is the air-layered tree + squirrel deterrent. I think it just needs to grow a few years to gain size and strength. I look forward to styling it one day.
Wulfskaar
Omono
Spring update:
Will probably do a couple more air layers this year. The main tree has been ravaged by squirrels and is on a bad graft.
Will probably do a couple more air layers this year. The main tree has been ravaged by squirrels and is on a bad graft.
pandacular
Masterpiece
Do you generally have any challenges growing maples in your climate? I know SoCal can be tough on tge leaves, but I see you’ve got these in a nice shady location—plus maybe you’re coastal.
Wulfskaar
Omono
Yeah, I definitely have struggles. Mainly with dry wind and squirrels.
They do great until late summer and into fall when we get the Santa Ana wind storms. They blow hot, dry wind from the high desert out into the ocean. When that happens, the leaves dry up from the edges inward and it ruins any fall colors I might have had otherwise.
Keeping them in dappled shade under my big oak tree seems to work pretty well, other than the dry winds.
I haven't actually tried to protect them other than misting the leaves as often as possible during these storms, which does nothing.
The wind storms last a few days, so maybe I'll try wrapping them in clear plastic bags or something this year? I really want to see the fall colors, if at all possible.
pandacular
Masterpiece
A simple wind break might be a good solution—seems to be one of the secondaey benefits of shade structures is putting a side shade which breaks some wind.
Wulfskaar
Omono
You are making my brain work here... I HAVE a small greenhouse in my garage, still sitting in the box!
I totally forgot about that until right now! I think I'll build that this summer and put it out there for the Santa Anas.
