How to Air Layer an Old Apple Tree for Bonsai *EASY*

In this Notion Bonsai video I show you how to create an air layering from an old Apple Tree! Apple trees are great for Bonsai because they have small leaves and intricate branching patterns.
I explain the air layering technique in detail and I some tips and tricks I've learned from my own experience of air layering lots of trees! I have found that Apple trees are easy to air layer.
They also respond well to pruning and shaping which makes them ideal for Bonsai. Apple bonsai trees can produce beautiful flowers in the spring and fruit in the fall, adding to their aesthetic appeal. They are hardy and adaptable, making them relatively easy to care for, even for beginners!
What is Air Layering?
Air layering is a propagation method used in horticulture to grow new plants from the branches and even the trunk of a tree without removing them from the parent plant. It involves making a cut in the stem, wrapping it with a moist ball of spaghnum moss, and covering it with a plastic to create a mini greenhouse. It works by inducing a plant to produce a mass of cells called callus tissue, which can develop into roots. Once established, the new roots can support a new individual plant.
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For business inquiries, my email address can be found on the Notion Bonsai KZbin Channel About page.
TIMECODES:
00:00 - Intro.
00:17 - About The Tree.
01:00 - Styling Options Available.
02:14 - What is Air Layering?
02:46 - The Tools Used.
02:58 - How to Air Layer.
10:06 - Outro.
#bonsai #applebonsai #airlayering #bonsaipropagation #bonsaitree #notionbonsai #bonsaiart

[@kastgregory1]

Hello! I'm an aroid guy just getting into bonsai (way too late!) and am truly enjoying your content. Easy to watch, educational, not forced. Really excellent. Just started watching, so here's hoping you're still making content! Peace.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey there 🙂 thanks for the kind words and welcome to the world of bonsai! I'm glad you're finding the content helpful and enjoyable. Yes, I'm still making content and plan to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. Feel free to ask any questions you may have along the way, and happy bonsai-ing! It is never to late to get into Bonsai!

[@raymondplodzien7459]

I can’t wait to see an update after it roots.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Raymond! I'm looking forward to seeing how it roots too!!

[@Hefjwnyentils]

I am very late but I have come to this video as my Granny has a numerous beautiful old russet apple trees which I am looking to air layer. As they are very old and covered in lichen I am sceptical that it will be successful but this video has given me the optimism to try anyway. Wish me luck, if it is a success I will post as a first video on my channel.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Charlie! Good luck with your apple air layer! Apples air layer very easily!!

[@VinnyChirayil]

Adam, plastic wrapping makes sense for trees that are difficult to water, say trees in the wild or someone else's property or your own large property. But it also gives deformed roots & less dense roots, which often will have to wait for a year after potting, to rectify. For trees already in your possession, you get the best root results by using air pruning containers like colander or shallow net pots. Yes, it needs more monitoring & care but bonsai = watering.

[@VinnyChirayil]

I have seen some experts even attach a plastic disc just below the upper cut, so that roots first grow horizontally before going down. The air pruning container kills the root tips reaching the edge of the pot, & generates more roots. If done right, the air layer can go straight away into a small bonsai pot, with enough radial roots to fill the pot. The air pruning container should ideally be a bit larger than the size of the bonsai pot. This way, root pruning is minimal while potting. If your climate is hot or dry, a plastic sheet loosely wrapped around the mesh pot solves it.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Nice Adam!!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Nigel! Heres hoping it roots now 🙂🪴

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Foist. Great video Adam. For me that tree definitely needs reducing down to increase the taper. Over time if you take off a couple of air layers until you have only three or four lower branches, then wire one of those branches upwards as the new leader. Over time it will thicken up and develop taper. 👍 That air layer will make a lovely little tree when separated.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Jason!! I agree!

[@danih7577]

Whoa air layering is good stuff! Thanks

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

As usual a top notch video Adam and so easy to follow along. I actually have a lovely airlayer apple project that Im doing in another few weeks - the origin of the tree will be the key! I find apples a little hard to get on with just because of all the nodules and swellings. Such a course tree to work with. BUT...I do have quite a few younger ones from pips and of course my meomorial apple to my late wife Zita. I enjoyed watching - thanks :)

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Xavier! I actually like the nodules on them! It shows their age!! 🙂

[@giangulli]

Always top quality videos - well filmed and well explained !

[@dalewilson4233]

Webster's dictionary for the win ! You're pronouncing it correctly.... Must be someone outside the US, which is great everyone has a different accent depending upon geographic location.

[@johanvanasch8967]

Nothing to do with geographic location, Sphagnum comes from the scientific name of the moss we are using, , plant names are in Latin, whenever a H comes after P you pronouce it as F, for example , Phlox, Phormium, Phalaenopsis, Physostegia, its all pronouced with the F sound. Someone like Ryan Neil who is a bonsaiproffesional located in the US does say it correctly, probably because the guy has a horticultural degree and knows how to pronounce plant names. anyway lots of people say it wrong thats why the dictionary even says its SPAGNUM only botanical freaks like me fall over it because it was hammered down in college how to pronounce plant names in a correct way :) Im just getting old i guess latin is a pretty dead language , who knows what the kids going to call a tree in 10 years :p

[@shankill178]

Another great video Adam. I hope the air layer works out well for you. The tree certainly looks challenging but the nodules above where you cut should give you root flare immediately. Can’t wait to see the update.

[@notionbonsai]

Here's hoping Sam! Thanks! 🙂

[@theo9845]

Looking forward for the next development, stage two of this project, yang man!! You are a very talented person indeed, I've no doubt you will create something very special.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for your kind words Theo! I appreciate your support and enthusiasm. Stage two of the project is definitely something I'm excited about!!

[@johnstarkey4959]

Look forward to seeing the results 🤞

[@notionbonsai]

Me too John!!

[@Dylan-ok6ft]

Great information and easy to follow video, as always! That air layer is going to be a really cool bonsai! Can’t wait for updates and repot next year!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thank you very much Dylan! I'm looking forward to seeing it root!!

[@scenecaffeine9]

Cant wait to see the results 🎉

[@boxCatalogue]

The reason you should wrap in black plastic is not to stop algae, but because roots do not like growing in sunlight. One of the first experiments we did in botany labs in college was to root mint cuttings in glass jars on a window, and all the roots grew away from the window. It might actually be helpful with big sphagnum balls like yours, as it might encourage root division. But most likely you would just end up with unbalanced root growth, with less roots on the south side.

[@VinnyChirayil]

"roots do not like growing in sunlight" Maybe it depends on the species. As a general statement it is incorrect. Videos on my channel feature many cuttings & trees with roots in water in transparent containers. Never have i felt the roots have a problem with sunlight. If the temperature is right, there is no issue, in my experience, with the species i have worked with. Also, look up hydroponic & aeroponic farming. Roots thrive despite getting lot of light, in transluscent containers.

[@boxCatalogue]

@@VinnyChirayil Thanks for not reading what I said. I said light exposure suppresses root growth, I didn't say it completely halts it. Maybe you should learn to read more than one sentence of a comment before you go trying to tell the person with a BSc. in horticulture what hydroponics is. And if you'd ever seen a commercial hydroponics operation in person, you'd know those roots are kept out of light as well.

[@VinnyChirayil]

@@boxCatalogue ... Thanks for not reading what i said too. I said it could be species specific issue, not a general one bcos i grow bonsai trees hydroponically - roots in water in transparent / transluscent containers, open to sunlight at the top. Also, my reply specifically mentioned "species i have worked with". Please read it again.

[@charliemagoo7943]

If the roots are exposed to light do they prune as does air pruning??? ie is there such a thing as light pruning??

[@boxCatalogue]

@@charliemagoo7943 Generally if the roots are exposed to light they are also exposed to air. But no, light won't prune a root, just hold back its growth. Any roots not exposed to light will grow better. Generally speaking.

[@francien5001]

👍👍👍Nice job you did, thanx 4 sharing

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks very much Francien! 🙂

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great video Adam sorry I missed it, working Good luck with it mate

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Andy! No worries man! Hopefully it will be a beautiful Bonsai one day!

[@Michael-yt3wz]

Wonderful video. Thanks for the post. I've learned so much watching your videos, please keep it up.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you very much Michael! I'm glad that you can learn from my videos!

[@hansthalhammer]

Excited for an update!

[@notionbonsai]

There is one coming soon!

[@hansthalhammer]

@@notionbonsai Oh great! Thanks for answering.

[@JamisonSculptureStudio]

Love this! 😍😍😍

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Brendan!

[@bob.fagg-bois657]

I think it`s great you did a follow up on your grandmothers apple tree as i did wonder what effect the sudden change of soil would have, but it seems to be doing great and now i`m waiting to see how this air layering will go as i have just bought some overgrown land which has an abundance of long lost fruit trees on it that i am trying to air layer, I am enjoying watching your progress keep the video`s comming.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Bob! Thank you for your kind words and for following along with my bonsai journey! I'm glad you enjoyed the follow-up on my grandmother's apple tree, and I hope your air layering efforts are successful with your newly acquired land and fruit trees. It's always exciting to see what nature can produce and what we can cultivate with a little care and attention. 🪴🙂

[@carolday3381]

Just wanted to add for the piece of plastic your wrapping with, people might wonder where to get plastic,.. they can use thick heavy duty garbage bags and cut it up or, i have used large ziplocks and cut the zipper off and slit the sides opened but then figured out get the cheap kitchens bags that don’t have zip closures they usually are a little bit bigger which is nice and easy to just slit the 2 sides open, no waste and cheaper. I also use zip ties but i was doing large full sized trees and was looking for ease of use while up a ladder. I have air layered some fruit bushes and a honeysuckle tree as well, so i am hopeful to be able to make a patio sized potted honeysuckle tree bonsai. I also want to do fruit tree bonsai, i had no idea until recently that could be done and that they still fruit! I have access to crab apples and honey seckle pears (small pears) so am optimistic on mini fruit orchard success in the future. 😊 Cheers!

[@tacobonsai]

You did a great job explaining this whole process. Thank you Adam.

[@notionbonsai]

Hope it helps taco! 😊 You got any air layerings planned?

[@tacobonsai]

@@notionbonsai a few in the works and a few more planned. I even have to do apple next year!

[@cat07777]

I’m looking forward to this project’s further development. What a special apple tree… ❤

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Cat! Me too!! I cant wait to get this little tree into a pot 😊

[@bonsaigayasaya552]

Good bonsai Salam from indonesia

[@notionbonsai]

Hello! Greetings from Ireland!

[@slicky_27]

This is such a great video dude! Great work! Enjoying from Manchester, UK

[@Joelobv]

Pure love to your vids

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you Joel 🙂🪴

[@jaclynmanna6005]

I feel incredibly lucky to have found your channel a week into my new bonsai fascination. I love everything about your videos , from your easy going , modest style and your amazing content . I’ve learned so much from you already . Today you inspired me to take a cutting from the Granny Smith Apple true , root and make it my first bonsai child ! Tons of gratitude . One quick question , can I use any moss from the woods or moss path and get the same result?

[@jaclynmanna6005]

PS I realize the moss is for air layering not rooting from a cutting but for other things . Thanks

[@joegarland4885]

Good luck with your air layer Adam, no reason why it shouldn’t work then you will have a credible sized tree and maybe some more at a later date.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you Joe! 🙂🪴

[@ralsharp6013]

Wowsers! Incredible story. Grandma's apple tree has a beautiful structure.. I've been attempting to use this method on our English mulberry tree. So far no luck with our summer Mulberry grafting but will keep trying😅

[@donaldslovey338]

That is awesome I'm going to try this

[@notionbonsai]

Ah nice one! Air layering is one of my favourite things in Bonsai!

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice work buddy!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Tony! 🙂

[@patrik.bacso22]

Magnificent video with a lot of extra infos and details. May I ask you what is the best time to do air layering and how about air layering a thicker branch, can I use soil instead of moss? 🙂

[@mccgunter]

Nice work making your videos interesting and informative.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much! 🤗

[@tracylockhart262]

Excellent video I’ve just discovered your channel I don’t have any bonsai at the moment but I think I’m going to have to get one soon I’m hooked !

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! Welcome to the Notion Bonsai Channel 😊😊

[@santoshsharmavlogs1550]

Very nice

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Santosh!

[@sbragaglia]

Nice video, Adam! Looking forward to see what you’ll create with the two separate plants! Peter Chan doesn’t even bother to cover the air layer (he prefers to see through), but I’ve seen people using tin foil so that they can open the wrap any time they want to check if there are roots without having to fiddle with threads etc. I thought that the right pronunciation was spag-num in English… in Italian it’s called sfagno so it makes sense (to me at least! 😅)

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Stefano! Tin foil is a good idea too!! I've seen them do well for him also! He gets great success from air layering his maples! Ohh nice!

[@sbragaglia]

@@notionbonsai haven’t been to Herons yet this year… looking forward to go there again… he’s been introducing many improvements recently!!!

[@renatopamoso6774]

Shots can"t focus on the topic but in the blue eyes. Sorry ! 🤩

[@renatopamoso6774]

😍😍🤩

[@twoofeleven]

The nodules are really quite unique, wondering if they're caused by the way the branches were chopped (like a weird pattern of inverse taper), or just a tendency of the wood like the knots robinia trees can get? Fingers crossed the air layer goes well, tree definitely looks like it can handle it just fine! 😊

[@notionbonsai]

I think it may be a result of crazy inverse taper! Though they could also be the growth pattern of the apple. Thanks Justyna! I'll be posting an update video when it roots!

[@forrestcrabbe]

🤘

[@notionbonsai]

😁

[@vickikay54]

Very informative.🌳 I only moved onto fruit trees a few years ago because I love the "seasonality" of them and it's a joy to watch the buds form and burst into blossom. 🌸 A msg to the twat who corrected your pronunciation....DONT. It's pretentious and downright rude.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for your feedback and kind words! 🙂It can be a truly rewarding experience to witness the growth and transformation of trees throughout the different seasons🪴 I think we can all learn from each other and contribute to a positive and supportive community 🌼 Let's focus on sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and fostering a welcoming environment for everyone interested in Bonsai and horticulture 💖

[@Ad_DOOM]

Looking forward to the follow up. I've attempted 3 air layers this year (cotinus, hornbeam & birch) and so far only the birch is showing signs of rooting 😢 that was at the end of Feb. I'll give up by July I think

[@paulgeddert6125]

It's worth keeping an air layer on at least until September. I have a big Alder air layer (3-4 inch trunk) taken from a hedgerow. Started in March, by September had a modest amount of root. Severed, protected it over winter and 18 months later it has the making of a great tree.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Adam! Air layering can be a bit tricky, and success rates can vary depending on the species, timing, and techniques used. Don't give up just yet! Birch is known to be a relatively easy species to air layer, but it can take several months for roots to form. Keep an eye on the other two and be patient, sometimes it takes longer than expected.

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌

[@notionbonsai]

😄🪴

[@MegaWizardman1]

Where do you get your spaggy, Adam? It’s hard to find anything other than peat made from sphagnum here in person, so I’ll have to order online-any suggestions? Loved the video, sorry I didn’t catch the premier!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Joshua! I used to order it online until I found out that I can source it here locally! If you are looking for a spaghnum, I advise the Long Strand New Zealand Spaghnum

[@MegaWizardman1]

@@notionbonsai thanks for the reply Adam! Appreciate it :-) I’ll look around.

[@karlcottingham1472]

Been enjoying the videos Adam.. I've not seen those modules before. Why did they form?

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Karl! The nobbles on the apple tree are actually called burr knots. They are clusters of dormant buds that can form on the trunk or roots of some trees, including apple trees, in response to stress or injury. The buds in the burr knots can potentially grow into new shoots or roots, which can be useful in propagating the tree or in forming new branches or roots for bonsai purposes. However, burr knots can also be a sign of stress or disease, so it's important to monitor them and take action if necessary 🙂

[@RoyaleJester]

Awesome dude 🤙 can you air layer a oak tree?

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Royale Jester! Yes, you can air layer an oak tree 🙂🪴

[@GraftingTactick]

Nice work man, how's going do you have rhe update results? Subbed ❤️

[@tajeware7789]

If you were to do that but with like a kiwi Barry with the tree grow kiwi berries

[@thegreatb7085]

I havent spotted it in the video, in wich season did you start this procedure?

[@hkampman2764]

Nice video! What brand is the grafting knife that you use?

[@notionbonsai]

I think it is Ryuga. The brand does not matter though! As long as it is clean and sharp it will be good!

[@hkampman2764]

@@notionbonsai Thanks! I am looking for a nice grafting knife at the moment 🤓

[@dirtydp4vp917]

Bitchin hair buddy. Love the content as well. From a fellow young enthusiast and also a grower of thick locks.

[@notionbonsai]

Aw nice one! Thanks very much!

[@arifmulla563]

Hi After air layering ,Do we need to water moss to keep it moist

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! If the layering is wrapped in a bag and sealed at each end then the moss does not need to be watered.

[@bonsaibywally]

i cant airlayer my apple trees, they just dont take. might be the species though. Nice video

[@dominikkalbarczyk608]

Where do you get your tools

[@notionbonsai]

I bought myself 1 which are the twig cutters! The rest have been gifts from friends and family

[@MrJeetro]

Do you by any chance have an update on the result of this air layering? :)

[@notionbonsai]

Hey yeah! Right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2HbmHWYa7V3mc0

[@sriramnandakumar5284]

Result pls

[@notionbonsai]

This tree was just air layered. It will take 6-8 weeks before I can share the result Sriram 🙂

[@dineshvyas]

Progress?

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! I already have an update out on this air layer 🤗You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2HbmHWYa7V3mc0