Air Layering Bonsai Tutorial EASY!

How to air layer bonsai by Peter Chan, part of Herons Bonsai.
Bonsai are now a part of our lives. Like oriental food, they are now taken for granted and most people are familiar with them. No longer are these tiny trees regarded as curiosities or botanical freaks, as they were a few decades ago. There was a time when they were available only at specialist centres, but now it is possible to buy bonsai in shopping malls and on the internet. These plants can also be found at garden centres and horticultural shows.
Some Bonsai are relatively inexpensive, while others can be very costly. As with any commodity, the different styles and grades of bonsai are reflected in the price. You can buy a young, newly trained bonsai with very limited funds, or you can spend thousands on an exquisite masterpiece that has been shown at major exhibitions in Japan. Serious Bonsai enthusiasts regard good-quality bonsai as works of art, and these are highly collectable plants.
Although the art of Bonsai is essentially about growing trees, for many people it is much more than that. Bonsai plants convey something about the owners lifestyle, aesthetic sense and attitude towards nature and the environment. Growing bonsai has come to be associated with Zen aesthetics, and some practitioners derive a special therapeutic benefit, which comes from the innate peace and tranquility that working with bonsai imparts. Like yoga and t’ai chi, bonsai are said to have a calming influence on the mind and spirit, and they can help to relieve the stresses of today’s busy world.
Bonsai are certainly beautiful to look at,but there is much more to the pastime than simply achieving beauty. The image of an ancient tree clinging to a rock and struggling to survive against all the odds has been a source of inspiration for Chinese sages and scholars for at least two millennia.
Keeping bonsai is not just about gardening - it is art and spirituality combined with horticultural techniques. Creating bonsai is a challenge, and enthusiasts are forever striving for horticultural and aesthetic excellence. Unlike other artistic projects, however, a bonsai is never finished. It continues to grow and change, which means that perfection is always transitory and beauty is only momentary. Growing bonsai is a never-ending quest for perfection.
Those who are dedicated to the hobby regard it as a way of life. It requires commitment and can dictate the way you spend your time and resources. Your weekends and holidays can soon become geared around your bonsai activities. Nevertheless, the rewards that come from striving for a perfect work of art more than compensate for the time and effort involved.
We are Britain’s Premier Bonsai Nursery, with over 7 acres of land dedicated to bonsai, and have 21 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and have a display at Wisley Gardens dedicated to our bonsai. We sell our bonsai through our website Herons Bonsai.

[@randomwalk4708]

My man giving you tips very detailed while he's pruning so fast, works like multi core processor.

[@ebenoid6643]

Yea but he takes small twigs sometimes too!🤣 it’s ok to put it through a simulated thunderstorm to strengthen the tree I guess. I’m about to try this method on my Japanese maple that’s about 8 ft tall

[@ErosiumTV]

Best video on youtube for air layering in my opinion.

[@bobbrawley4544]

ErosiumTR well you ain't looked hard enough. It's a good video on air layering. And Chan certainly. Knows how to airlayer successfully But a best airlayer video I need to know what the climate at his location is. I need to know what time in the growing season airlayer can achieve best success for Chan. Possible for him all summer long . Chan didn't show us how wet the saghum moss was before adding it to the sealed plastic envelop. The cambium later is not just the green later that is removed with the peeled bark but the slippery white wood has to be removed as well. . I do appreciats his demonstration of the open pots containing successful airlayer For a best video on KZbin other techniques need to be addressed like "open pots " air layering that should be watered daily. The addition of Vitamin B1 and Amino acids to assured success in air layering. For a best video on KZbin of air layering a technique of air layering a servered branch . The cutting is placed in a water container the airlayer surgery is above the water the root growing zone is isolated in it's own container like a open pots or sealed bag and the leafing plant is exposed above the air layer. In short there is no best video on airlayer in because Chan's environment and special experience is not obvious to the hobbist like my self . An accumulation of many airlayer videos in English, Urdu. Vietnamese, Spanish and Italian is necessary to complete the picture

[@sonasood1752]

Do we have to water the air layering moss after doing it

[@lefthandluke8923]

@@sonasood1752 As I understand it, you keep the package sealed. No need to add additional water.

[@barisaslan1867]

@@lefthandluke8923 everybody says wet the moss be careful wet the moss

[@lefthandluke8923]

@@barisaslan1867 The practice varies from climate to climate, but in many places, if it gets too wet, the roots can rot. You definitely don't want it to dry out, of course.

[@studentofthearts]

As a newbie to bonsai, this video has created extreme excitement for me.

[@7Spronge]

29 dislikes from garden centers

[@Milark]

@Juan Ruiz Art update: 66

[@bertiewhistlepipe3715]

@@Milark so glad I watched this, I've learned something new and the best bit is I never need to go and waste money at a garden centre again 😁

[@bertiewhistlepipe3715]

@Juan Ruiz Art 2 thumbs up from me 👍👍😄

[@moredreamsmorecreams]

update no fucking way to see dislikes

[@DJInclined]

Update: I can see dislikes and climbed to 73

[@bobrussell3602]

Peter Chan, you have been my inspiration for many years. I took my sister to the Heathrow bonsai show and she was HOOKED (!) she joined her local bonsai society and she has watched this video of yours about 5 times !!!

[@TheO416]

7:28 as calm as man is, at that sentence you showed us little powerhungry bonsaivillain: ENDLES MAPLES THE WORLD IS MINE!

[@stubees88]

Sir Peter Chan. Recognised for inspiring people to care more about trees.

[@tysonkrank6285]

These videos are awesome they go the extra mile to see it from start to finish with examples. Great work

[@DooBees-ub1me]

I started air layering a few years ago from one of your videos, I’ve had good success thanks

[@arayan83079]

I have seen dozens of air layering videos. By far this is the best one!!

[@MEGATestberichte]

This is awesome and very interesting. I did not know that some trees can split up like that.

[@grettelllana4331]

Very nice video. I love to learn about bonsai from the beginning.

[@jphillips8338]

I've always wanted to try this but I never understood the complete process. Now I am going to give this a shot. Thank you so much for explaining all of this. Excellent video!

[@garyjohnson2989]

Did it work? Did u do it?

[@walterwjr947]

Thank you.... 🙏 😔 🙏 Dr. Chan, this is the oldest of your videos that I have watched. It is amazing that you had the correct process of using, just spagnum, almost a decade ago. 🎄🙏🖖🙏😔🙏🙏🙏🎄

[@arreolaartistry]

Peter Chan you are a very skilled bonsai master and you deserve my subscription by the way anyone else here from 2020

[@michaelwenzel3196]

Thank you Peter. Air-layering seemed a mystery to me and your video is quite instructive!

[@mikehammerton5990]

brilliant air layering video. Thorough in my opinion and gives a clear idea of what to do as a beginner.

[@grrrumble]

Blew my mind a little bit. Did not know this was a thing!

[@nickgeorgie1957]

Peter, thank you so much for your excellent video. No bla blas, only proof and clear examples. You are an inspiration of hard and intelligent work. All my respect. Nick from Greece. In Greek we say: Άξιος.

[@dancingdogs3785]

Hi Peter, Thank you for this video. With so much confidence after watching your video, I showed my teenager how to air layer a branch from a "waterfall maple" today. I was pruning it and I didn't want to waste it. It is an experiment. I have a few different ones in my garden that I will air layer. Thank so much for being so inspiring and for sharing your wonderful knowledge with us.:)

[@peaveawwii1]

The best teacher on KZbin. Thanks

[@WoodsleeSummercraftwoodturning]

Very thorough video on air layering, I started air layering last year without too much success, its videos like yours that will really help me strive to succeed . Thank you for these great videos Rob

[@philipnguyen7710]

It's wonderful to see the same result that you have showed in the video.

[@manuelmartinez3609]

Hi Dear Peter I know is late to cograts to you about this video, but I did not see this video before, now I am clear about my mistakes in air layering. I did several of those without successful. Now with your clear explanation I hope do not loose others potentials bonsai. Many thanks

[@WeeWillyWeiner]

Fantastic! Great to see such a clear, thorough and concise video. Will definitely be doing this next spring!

[@paullill5604]

Djembe Numuya

[@scorpiusyoutube]

Djembe Numuya

[@mephustowest1876]

Thank you very much for this video. I see that it is over a year old but this is very useful information.

[@kestane123chesmo]

that is so smart, and it saves time and space

[@mikenco]

Peter, I keeping hearing this "air layering" phrase, but as usual, your brilliant channel explains it best, in simple, practical terms. Thank you!

[@gianlucacoraggio4357]

I love how you show "How is done" without no fancy things going on. Just a question, there is some particular period of the year, when is best to air layering or doesn't matter? Thanks

[@HeronsBonsaiUK]

There isn’t a set time for air layering trees although typically it will be done in spring or early summer. This will give the air layerings there best chance of growth before the parent tree becomes dormant in the autumn. The important thing is to ensure that the parent tree is in good health and vigorous. Air layering an ailing tree will just stress the tree further and in extreme circumstances result in die back or even death of the parent tree.

[@togethereasy]

Shows very detailed, how the process is done. Thank you.

[@clairedurkan9974]

Brilliant video - easy to follow and well delivered. Thank you.

[@hoofgripweightlifting6872]

Mr. Chan. Thank you for your great contributions. I stared bonsai a year ago. Today I air layered three maples. Wish me luck.

[@samhoskins8706]

Good luck.

[@ryanreyviliran8162]

Kodus sir for having a great video... I hope you can upload a lot of videos for us to ponder.. God bless.

[@lielo2000]

Too good Peterji! Regards from India.

[@RoyalDraco]

Thank you so much! I have a huge Bloodgood in my front garden and she has to come down because she is pushing the wall out sadly. I tried taking cuttings and they failed, this will be my last shot at saving her, she is beautifully healthy and about 20 years old and I don't want to kill her, so if I can do this I can transplant an air layered section to my mums garden and hopefully get a bonsai from her. This will also mean I can get an air layer from a smaller red maple my mum has. I adore my maples, I've grown them from about 12" high. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos! x

[@bimalnair]

amazing!!! Thankyou soo much for the wonderfully covered and well described video. Awesome work!

[@paulorientetheluffaranch]

Great technique. Thank you for sharing.

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

Great video. Very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@hermit909]

Very educational. A joy to watch. Cheers!

[@keysBW]

Thank you Mr Heron. My air layer worked and did step by step from your tutorial.

[@iolio1]

Fantastic Tutorial

[@justrosie]

So glad you mentioned the pines… I figured not all species could be air layered, sad to hear my 4 ft P. nigra is hopeless!

[@xyz-pg3zd]

Very detailed. Much respect.

[@MrNomads]

Thank you sir for your time....

[@gordondaniels9718]

superb video on air layering acers or maples wel thought out many thanks

[@rowshane47]

Peter Chang, We love you :), I love your videos

[@yeyo9404]

He is a true master

[@alphonsemacion2610]

You have amazing and very educating videos Sensei!

[@mesingpertin5619]

You're an inspiration!🙏

[@zekethefishgeek8690]

Just dadgum EXCELLENT... you taught me something new...

[@wood-youknowit]

I am just trying this for the first time. Great video!

[@ericredraj3558]

short n sweet agree , best tutorial

[@margaretsims4344]

Just done my first ever air layer of a Maple today! Fingers crossed.

[@mandowarrior123]

How is it going?

[@stever5224]

Fantastic video, thank you.

[@juli2477]

Excellent video - very helpful! Thank you :-)

[@jeffstation70]

That's very helpful. Thank you

[@outsideaglass]

Thank you so much for sharing! This is so fantastic to learn how to do, I'm so excited to go air layer myself some bonsai!

[@kathrynxu4874]

Love u! Mr Chan! Reminds me of my father in law ~~~

[@davidlaue8225]

you are very lucky :)

[@piano_ben82]

amazing video. i try it today with my birch too. i hope in a few month i can see roots😉 nice greetings from germany.

[@lukemckee9772]

Just found a Japanese maple at my girlfriends I'll be looking to airlayer it soon, thank you Peter!

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

Love Heron's videos!!!!!!!

[@shonmiangkang4923]

Hello Peter, thank you for generously sharing this wonderful knowledge of air layering! I have a lot of moss growing in my garden so I was wondering if I can use them directly or do I need to dry them in the oven first to remove the insects?

[@giangianni503]

I felt in love for bonsai thanks to you, master. I'm going to try to air layering (i have access at lots of trees species, oaks, olive, apple, orange and more). I want to try with olive and ficus (ficus carica). But I'm watching lots of videos about air layering and all of them put ormons on the "nude" part, not on the bark before. Of course, I'll follow that video, I just wonder how so many gardeners make it in the wrong way O_o

[@keithwilson7874]

very informative video thank you very much for your time

[@LSandLM]

Thank you! I have a Japanese Maple var. Crimson Queen that is grafted to other stock and as a Bonsai (in training) it is unattractive as the base stock grows faster than the upper part. I am considering air layering the top of the tree to see if I can get a better looking tree in the end. But this will cut the length of the trunk in half and I'll have a very odd looking tree until it can be reshaped over the years.

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

That's great job Sir

[@koigifts8356]

Your videos are awesome.

[@Jon_Villanueva]

When is the best time to do air layering?Thank you for the nice video

[@erikfonne5174]

Very informative - thank you Peter!

[@andreearibotto3722]

Hi Peter...you are so a good professor for me.I want to try to make air layering bonsai from my japanes mapel....when it's the right time to start doing this job?!.thank you for sharing your experience with everyone.💖💖💖💖

[@michaelcalicut1868]

Very helpful......................... Thank you for sharing................................

[@chrisward3051]

Sir, you are awesome. Thank you for that tutorial.

[@karloman00]

You the man, Chan

[@dracus6877]

Nice video!! I learned alot!!

[@Alypinkflower]

Wow..just lovely

[@Melanieallen968]

I'm excited to try this..🙂

[@mucho02]

How fascinating

[@trailwomanrc]

Great videos....I heard cutting the outer layers of bark stops the leaves from delivering to the plant telling the upper plant it has no roots, while the inner stem supports the leaves from main roots.

[@gatzby76]

Thanks for showing ..the best ive seen...

[@tmarcmoynihan]

Love this chanel. Thanks for sharing with us all

[@dibiodepaint]

very nice

[@19Meikel62]

Oh hello and thank you for this video…I need a tip from the expert. In my garden I have mossed off some branches of a maple planted in the ground about 5 m high. In November I can still separate them from the mother plant although there are no leaves or should I wait until spring buds, many thanks, Michael

[@whakoman]

Great video! Very interesting indeed. At what time in the growing season is it best to perform air layering with the highest success rate?

[@ergouwang4168]

THANKS VERY MUCH

[@firsttimejongbuild]

I just love Peter Chan! Such a good instructor and he explains the process well. One question though...so we have to keep wetting the moss over the 6-8 week period? Thank you!

[@bobbrawley4544]

Josh Pickles Good question . Apparently not since the bag of saghum moss is sealed. But I'm guessing.

[@peterchan3100]

No need to wet the moss if you use plastic as the plastic keeps the moisture in

[@tomtom7963]

Hello Mr. Chan: for how long you keep the new tree soaking in the water ? Do you keep it in there for weeks or months until the root system us fully developed ? Thank you, HM

[@rowshane47]

Based on what I know, after cutting it, 5 to 10 minutes and then let it sit for 2 days.

[@rowshane47]

Amazing Video sir, Thank you, I would like to know in what season we should do air layering.

[@DecaffeinatorZero]

Late spring or early summer!

[@johntonya324]

i always learn something from thank you

[@trasplantecapilar]

Thank you for your video. It is not necessary to watering the air layering?

[@soonzach4017]

Always love your videos

[@Myleanne14]

Brilliant video!!

[@jianshenli5643]

Thank you

[@8bitkame]

You are the man!

[@i_wj-e7k]

very useful ,thank you

[@pauldaniels921]

Hi Peter Watched the video today, plus those on pruning pines. Found them very informative and dispelled some of the worries I had about pruning pines. What would you recommend as the best time of year to air layer elms. I have a Japanese or Chinese elm planted out in a raised bed and the base of the trunk has gone mad!

[@dougrhess]

Very helpful. Thanks. What time of year do you air layer? Do you do it early in the growing season or later or anytime?

[@HeronsBonsaiUK]

There isn’t a set time for air layering trees although typically it will be done in spring or early summer. This will give the air layerings there best chance of growth before the parent tree becomes dormant in the autumn. The important thing is to ensure that the parent tree is in good health and vigorous. Air layering an ailing tree will just stress the tree further and in extreme circumstances result in die back or even death of the parent tree.

[@TheO416]

i once found a natural air-layering while gardening for work. a rododendron in the woods had a sidebranch that made roots where it lay in the mulch ( house in a forest ). i was about 13-14 years old so during the lunchbreak i said to my father: hee dad, i didnt know rodo's spread like vines and stuff. he obviously said: well they dont.. and i thought well i damn right saw it for myself tho! in hindsight natures airlayering.

[@marcosrodriguez7133]

Very Nice Video. Im doing the air layering as you show and they are going well. when you cut it and put it in the pot with more moss, how long do you keep it in moss and pot it in sustrates?

[@MrGhostsword]

What about nourishment for the tree? Should one add liquid ferts, or no need? Lovely video.

[@DecaffeinatorZero]

Treat the base of the tree as normal until separation. Layering only affects "down stream" flow of nutrients from leaves to the roots, not the other way around

[@JustinHT]

Excellent tutorial! I have a “Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn” that is too close to my new extension, so sadly has to be removed, I’ve tried taking cuttings but have had no luck! Do you think it would air layer???? I’d love to have a section from this tree as it’s been in my garden for 30 years now! Any advice on air layering for Hawthorn???? Excellent work Peter. Thanks Justin..