Air Layering Witch Hazel

Good Morning!

I got our witch hazel air layering trial underway this morning. So excited for this!

Step 1:
For the first attempt I selected a healthy, 1/2” thick branch on the rear of an older and more established plant. Here is a quick breakdown of the process:

After sterilizing all the required tools I selected a location on the branch near a “Y” in the branch (a node) as this is an area where a lot of activity occurs within the branch. Next, I made two cuts around the branch with the distance between the two cuts equaling 1.5 X the circumference of the branch itself. I then used a box cutter to remove the bark between the two cuts, exposing the cambium layer. This is where callous tissue and roots will form (on the upper most cut of the wound). >>

Step 2:
I then took a 6” x 10” piece of 4 mil plastic and attached it to the branch with wire, being careful not to tighten too much so as to cut off the flow of sap to the branch. With the plastic I formed a cone and then stuffed it with pre-soaked New Zealand sustainably harvested sphagnum moss. 

Step 3:
A thick ball of moss helps retain moisture and heat. Before enclosing the moss and plastic around the cut, I applied a hormone rooting powder to speed up root development. I forgot to take a picture of this step. 

Step 4:
Everything gets sealed up nicely to prevent moisture loss. If successful, in 6 to 8 weeks we will see roots developing from the cut. At that point the branch gets cut off and placed into a pot with a well draining compost. I’ll probably bring some pine bark and perlite to add to our compost to allow it to drain nicely. From this point it develops roots further while potted and next year can be planted out on the property! 

Step 5:
I’m going to attempt two more air layerings for a total of three. Fingers crossed!
—Adam