This article was co-authored by Jon Rowland and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Jon Rowland is a Plant Specialist and the Founder of the Green House Center blog. With over eight years of plant and garden experience, he specializes in greenhouse care, lawn and garden maintenance, and home appliance recommendations. Jon aims to share his knowledge so that others can live a more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
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Air layering is a technique to propagate fruit-bearing and flowering plants, such as apple, maple, cherry, and orange trees, to make smaller clones of the parent. Select one of the newer branches on the tree and cut off a ring of bark. Wrap damp sphagnum moss and plastic wrap around the exposed wood to lock in moisture and help the roots form. Once you see roots growing, you can remove the branch and plant it in a pot so it can grow!
Examples of Plants to Air Layer
Apple trees
Orange trees
Lemon trees
Azalea
Magnolia
Rubber plant
Bonsai trees
Variation: If you’re working with a slow-growing tree, such as maple, juniper, pine, or azalea, or you want to create a sturdier trunk for a bonsai tree, loop an 8-gauge copper wire around the branch underneath the node and pull it tight until it cuts into the bark. This will help the branch grow thicker before it starts making roots.
Tip: If the plastic wrap or aluminum foil doesn’t stay tight against the moss, tie the ends to the branch with twine or twist ties.
Warning: Avoid planting the propagation directly in the ground since it could stress the tree and prevent it from growing healthy.
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