Japanese Maple Tree Propagation Update: Rooted Cuttings + Air Layer

Japanese Maples can be propagated several ways including from cuttings and air layers. In this video I provide an update on my summer propagating efforts including the summer cuttings that rooted, and air layer that rooted and also a few other plants I have been propagating as well!

[@Interglacial_optimist]

I can't wait till July to take cuttings off of my Japanese Maple in the front yard so I went out and cut them today and it's below freezing so I'm going to try anyway. I also collected the seeds that were still attached to the branches and put some in dirt put some in plastic bags in front of the heater vent and then put some in bags with wet leaves in the refrigerator and I'll just let them sit all winter. I've been growing this tree since 2000 and it is 4 ft tall and 8 ft wide but I've only seen one germinated seed in all 22 years and I ended up killing that plant so I'm going to start now because of your videos I discovered today. Your videos are what make KZbin the most important tool for the new fans of growing trees.

[@JonnyMaple]

Awesome I am glad that my videos have inspired you to try more propagation. You will likely have better results taking hardwood cuttings in January, which I plan to test as well. That being said, you have nothing to lose by experimenting - and maybe you will get some to root!

[@Interglacial_optimist]

@@JonnyMaple I put some seeds in a pot in front of the heater vent and it looks like there may be some activity just days later..

[@allanbartram1849]

Really appreciate your honesty with all the rootless cuttings coming up. I have recently over the past few months ( summer in South Africa) started trying to do the same- managed to get 80 out of about a thousand cuttings to root so far. With another thousand cuttings I have replanted. The process I have been using clearly I have been using cuttings which are too small which have died so next season will be using only larger specimens- regards from South Africa

[@macoeur1122]

I'm in zone 6b and really appreciate your consideration of the different zones. I've noticed that not a lot of people bother to do so here on KZbin. Makes it hard to know which advice we can follow. You're inspiring me to start a new Bloodgood...I'll have to find a friend who's willing to part with some cuttings next year!

[@JonnyMaple]

Awesome! I am glad that was helpful.

[@dwed1234]

Really interesting. Thanks for sharing. Will keep an eye out for more content. 👍

[@JonnyMaple]

Awesome, thank you!

[@marnoster]

Thanks for posting the following up Jonny! I think I'm going to invest in a basic Hydroponics propagation set when I try cuttings again and try and up the success rate. Its a lot easier to control and you could go more months of the year.

[@DeciduousSnurb]

It was good to see your second air layer struck. Please update us on how it did through the winter. I've had mixed results with air layering Japanese maples over the last several years, but last year I tried something different. Instead of cutting a ring off the bark way down the branch where there is no secondary branching, I chose a spot where multiple branches were growing from the same spot (a junction 2-4 branches ideally). Doing this would not be easy to wrap a bag around so I used a pot, but a bag should still be possible. Also I used a little perlite in with my (chopped) sphagnum moss and I try to make sure the branch which is being air layered is almost vertical and reaching up toward the light. After just 5 weeks my air layer of Acer p. 'Seiryu' rooted, and the pot was filled with fine hairy roots in 8 (I think the perlite helped with that) I may even try to make a video showing how I did it soon since I went through the trouble of recording it, I just have to edit. I can even let you know when I do so you can see, I'm all about sharing gardening tips. I will be testing on other cultivars and species this year. I would love to see you keep experimenting with air layers. Thanks for continuing to share your gardening experiences.👍

[@GritCityBonsai]

I tried cuttings from my Japanese maples and bonsai this year using similar methods but had zero success with Pixie as well. I’ve heard from some professionals that JM can be tough outside a green house and without a misting system. Each cultivar seems to have its own challenges in rooting even for air layers. I still intend to try as I have several cultivars I’d like to propagate like Beni Hoshi, Higasa yama, Kuro hime, and some rough bark varieties. Good luck!

[@TRREDMN]

Had that happen before too, very healthy no roots even new buds and leaves 😂lol. I tried a new product King Crab very consistent success. Thanks for sharing info. Tote rooting boxes are brilliant!

[@atroutflycrazy8057]

Well done to get any cuttings to take ,JM are nt easy to get to root , humidity and soil temp def play a big part maybe why your july cuttings took best. I have yet to get cuttings to take altho only tried once before. This time im using vermiculite and light potting mix for spring cuttings so hopefully i get a few.

[@paul8821]

Hello jonny can i take cuttings in the fall many thanks paul

[@abedj1220]

Great videos. Thanks for the detailed info. When you take the cuttings out of the humid rooting box and put them into the open air do you worry about shock going from humid to non humid environment?

[@JonnyMaple]

I slowly transition they to the non-humid air a little bit at a time. Initially, this involves only a short time outside of the box, and then with time, fully outside.

[@chozen_juan]

I have a few that Ive transplanted and have been misting in giant ziplock bags. I am hoping they will root and grow to be in my yard some day. Is 3 months about the normal time that they will root if they're going to?

[@robinson101011]

Hi, Where are you located, I'm asking because of the pomegranates your growing? Will they survive where you are located?

[@melizzz924]

What type of soil do u add to the pot after the air layer rooted?

[@treypitchford1516]

Do all your trees have seeds Japanese maple wise I grow them to looking to have a lot of different kinds

[@n7gn]

Thanks for updates. I feel better about not getting more roots on my cuttings after this video. I don't really understand why they look good without any root development. I thought about reapplying root hormone to the plants that are left in the potting soil with the hope of root development. Any thoughts on that? Atlanta area, so Zone 7/8a&b.

[@JonnyMaple]

Give it a shot and leave it over winter - you have nothing to lose. In the future, I am going to do all of my JM cuttings in early July because that resulted in nearly 100% rate!

[@n7gn]

@@JonnyMaple Any thoughts on reapplying root hormone?

[@litsnombre6390]

what is your potting mixtures?

[@JonnyMaple]

I mainly use G&B Organic Potting Soil.

[@johng3669]

At this point have you thought about adding some sphagnum moss for the ones not rooting and if so why you chose not to as of this video. Just wondering your pro/con thoughts on that. Thanks.

[@JonnyMaple]

Sphagnum moss (mixed with potting soil) is fine still - I just don't think it is necessary as it is quite expensive.

[@jakeblumen5979]

How often did you end up watering the air layer tree? Have you tried pot layering?

[@JonnyMaple]

I only ended up watering it once or twice in 4 months. The sphagnum moss held lots of water.

[@mikeymopar1171]

Do you ever use rooting hormone on your cuttings

[@JonnyMaple]

Yes, I always use an IBA rooting hormone for my Japanese Maple cuttings.

[@gilliskn]

How did you print your plant labels?

[@JonnyMaple]

With a thermal label printer, however my solution is not perfect yet, because the labels start to turn brown and fade in the sun. I will be exploring other options in the future and will share once I am happy with the long term results.

[@brianwitton5061]

Blood good is very difficult to propagate in any way.

[@sg08]

Hi thanks for sharing your knowledge n experience. Can you share ur email or contact details if it possible to get verities of maple seeds from you. Interested in growing different verities