Airlayering Bonsai a 15 Month Voyage of Discovery :)

On 26th Mar 2023 I decided to Air layer a PROBLEMATIC Bonsai. Follow this 15-month ‘challenging’ journey to discover if the air layer was a success AND what clumsy mistake nearly ruined all my work…
How to Air Layer for Bonsai:
• Air layers, Cuttings, ...
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God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 What are the Options for this Hornbeam?
04:06 Is Scarred Wood an Issue?
05:43 How I do Airlayering (May 23)
07:39 Did the Airlayer Work? (Aug 23)
08:34 Can I promote some root growth?
09:44 Did I get anymore roots? (Mar 24)
12:54 Time to prune a little bit.
13:40 Time to look at the roots and repot the trunk.
15:36 A look at my 2nd Failed Airlayer.
16:11 Are things getting better? (May 24)
17:43 My Best Advice for Beginners.
Equipment & Acknowledgements:
I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC 330 Bridge Camera
All video production using AVC Video Editor Software
Sound equipment courtesy of: johnaronphotography.co.uk
Handmade Ceramics by: Dawn Isaac of deiceramics.com
Please be aware that all details of products used are given for your benefit only - I do not receive any financial recompense. I just think they are good value and you should know where to buy them if interested.
#bonsaiuk #bonsaitree #bonsaicare #bonsaigarden #pruning #airlayering #hornbeam #timelapse

[@stefank.3013]

Hello! I enjoy every video you post. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge with us. Greetings from Austria!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You are my 2nd Austrian that i know of watching. I appreciate you takign the time to support me and would love to hear what trees you have in your collection

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Definitely a big 👍 - absolutely enjoyed. Thanks Xavier ❤️ Airlayers are looking great, can’t wait to see them next year. 🙏 Enjoy your day 😘 Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I had a great day at the village stall and lots of people to chat with - except you were missing of course :(

[@brianparnell2256]

Great video Xav. Nothing better than a successful air layer when you open the package.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I agree though I am not sure I felt that way when i first opened the package :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

No worries, Xavier. Already loved you in those clumsy days 😅❤️😘

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is funny to see the different approach :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Indeed. 😄 Those times I hoped my support would add some happiness, at least because of mistaken vocabulary and grammar. 🙃😅😘 Enjoy your day, Xavier 😘

[@nerinat8371]

Great success Xavier, never give up .. patience is the key for sure

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

So true Nerina

[@bibnida7945]

Thanks for taking us through this process, Xav. Even the boring days were good 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is amazing to seee how much I have changed my approach over just months. I wish I could see the same change in my Bonsai :)

[@bibnida7945]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Ah you know very well it's a long game, and there's a joy in that 🤝

[@andysbonsai]

Looking good Xavier! Enjoyed the journey so far for this one :)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Andy - I shall look after this one and hopefully it will be anideal candidate to practice root grafts with :)

[@acer_p_bonsai]

Excellent site selection for your air layer, Xav. That is going to be a stunning little tree!! 🪴 💚

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers - I am really looking forward to this developing roots and I think it will also be an ideal candidate for root grafts in the future. Something I haven't tried before.

[@leahcimwerdna5209]

We are here for knowledge from your experience, entertainment is not needed but will be enjoyed. 👊🤙

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you so much. I'm not sure about the level of knowledge but you will certainly see the 'reality' of my bonsai journey. Lots of lessons have been learned :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Nice result! Hornbeam is good stuff. Grts Kennet

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Kennet

[@markjagger7139]

Nice one, it will be a cracking little tree given time and care, well done.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am hoping that will be the case - gentle gentle is the way :)

[@malsrfun2956]

Great video! I just did my very first air layers a few weeks ago on maples, crab apples, and wisteria. It's so nice to see a video about what happens in the end, because most people don't show the outcomes. Thanks and congratulations on success. 😊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers - it was looking like a depressing video for half of the year - amazing whhat one weenie root can achieve. Good luck with your airlayers :)

[@bonsaibywally]

Unexpectedly awesome job, I love it. It's inspirational.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It definitely surprised me - thanks for watching

[@jensgrabher-meyer3565]

So I am the 2nd Austrian ;-) and I also really enjoy your Videos. I loke the way you handle our beautiful hobby, always not to serious and with a lot of fun. In my collection I have around 20 beaches, 20 hornbeamsm crabapples, oaks, ilex, forsythia, piceas, austrian black pines, hawthorns, euonimus, cornus,..... Best regards Jens

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Wow - I owuld love to see some pictures. It always amazes me how many people have such an interest in this hobby :)

[@randysmith1723]

This was a really well executed video. Thanks!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you - I am trying to put together a lot more like this so we can all enjoy the successes and the failures together :)

[@joegarland4885]

Nice one Xav, you came you saw you conquered, that little airlayer should make a nice little bonsai in a short time well done mate it was worth the wait. The larger one time will tell if it worth continuing with it I suspect it could be ok in time Just come back from a meal out with my son and his intended also my Granddaughter as it is my 82 birthday today, no Idea why I am still here, I suspect bonsai has something to do with it my friend. Well done Jelle would be proud of you.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Happy belated birthday Joe - you are still here because you help with my self-esteem :)

[@joegarland4885]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat well I glad I am useful for that my friend.

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great video Xavier 👊👊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Andy

[@markthejanner5427]

My Katrura airlayerd the same way for the third time, fingers crossed

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

let me know how you get on :)

[@soberhippie]

When I attempt airlayers, I take a bit of plastic, fold it around the trunk such that it is kind of divided into three partitions: the middle part goes behind the trunk, and the other two overlap in front of it, and the trunk is in the middle of the length of the folded sheet of plastic. Then I fix it to the trunk. I do the bark cutting before that "delicate dance" with the plastic. This approach makes it easier to fill the thing with moss or turf afterwards. And I don't cut holes in the bottom. I find that the substrate will be filled with the sap from the trunk, and my hypothesis is that it is precisely the right amount of water. My success rate is 100%. The last sentence is a lie.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That process sounds daunting so you need to do a demonstration video for me to show people on my next video :)

[@michelkoistra7831]

Thanks

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for watching

[@sueb1317]

Very helpful episode Xavier - I'll have to check out your other suggested video. I'd like to try a couple of air layers next spring so knowing the timing is great. Very lovely little resulting bonsai. Fingers crossed that growth takes of strong! From your experiments, do you prefer using bonsai soil or sphagnum as your medium? I remember that sphagnum caused a lot of root rot post separation.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I use sphagnum for the airlayer process but once separated it definitely goes into a potting medium :)

[@bonsaisn]

Hello, cách làm của người bạn rất hay. ❤

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you

[@ShayanGivehchian]

I just tackled a similar job on a Ginko same timeline. I did put multiple air layers on a larger tree.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Have they all produced roots or are you still waiting?

[@ShayanGivehchian]

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat I put them on last week so exactly same timeline as you with a years difference.

[@susanbossert6833]

The hardest part of doing air-layers is staying patient. I think you have a good start on a new bonsai. Well done!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That is very true Susan.

[@leahcimwerdna5209]

Agree, that's why I moved to clear wrap so I can monitor better.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@leahcimwerdna5209 That's why I use tin foil. It is easy to unwrap to check progress and moisture :)

[@DavesBonsai]

So you’re telling me to not give up on my hibiscus?!!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Now Dave...who am I to tell you anything. Sometimes you just have to accept that signs and give it a decent burial :)

[@louisaslaksen424]

Great Job! I might be doing some air layerings too. How wet is the sphagnum moss when you put it on the tree? Thanks anyways for your videos!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is normally soaking in a bucke tovernight and then I give it a good squeeze before using it on the layer. Enough that it is still dripping :)

[@raymondbirds2392]

Lovely job

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Raymond

[@davemiddleton4971]

Nice Root

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It does surprise me that was enough to get it through a very cold winter :)

[@ishamakkusu]

This is timely - I set up an air layer on my hornbeam yesterday. I've never seen anyone poke holes in the plastic sheet like you did in this video Xav, and when you unwrapped it the sphagnum looked quite dry - do you water the moss ball during development to stop it drying out?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I probably water every 3 -4 weeks if required. I have been poking holes since starting this process after watching Ryan Neil from Bonsai Mirai. i know some people happily leave them uncheckeed for the entire 3 month process.

[@NoQuarter01]

Do you open it every week or so to check moisture level? Or do you have to water the sphagnum moss periodically? Great video thanks Xav

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I check it every 4 to 5 weeks but usually it can be left and normal rain or watering allows a little moisture to keep the sphagnum moist. In my early attempts I checked and watered them nearly everyday and they all failed - just too wet for roots to stay alive and not rot. thanks for watching.

[@leahcimwerdna5209]

What grow zone are you in?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I think I am in 9b