Nebraska Bonsai
I am going to air layer a Japanese Flowering "Yoshino" Cherry tree that I have been growing in a
plastic bucket for 6yrs. During this time I have been taking cuttings from it and rooting them.
These instructions apply to and will work on most types of trees. Double click on any photo to
enlarge, some photos are not the best and I have circled the area in black.
Below are the supplies I will be using, this is the first time I will be using the plastic rooting cups
best shown in the lower right corner of the center photo just below. I have used plastic saran wrap
before and then covering the plastic with tin foil to keep out the light which worked just fine. I think
the cups will make checking the moister of the peat moss easier tho.
Scroll all the way to the bottom and double click photos to enlarge for better detail

.
Supplies used shown above:
  • Sphagnum moss.
  • Rooting hormone, I use two different kinds "Dip-n-Grow"
    and Hormodin3.
  • Plastic rooting cups or saran wrap and tinfoil.
  • Sharp sterile knife or box knife.
  • Water
  • Japanese Flowering "Yoshino" Cherry tree.
A.
B.
C.
In picture A to the left
is shown a 5gal.
plastic bucket with
sphagnum moss
soaking in water.
In picture B shown below is the tree
showing were the air layerings will be
taken from. Double click to enlarge
photo.
Picture C to the left
shows the branch we
will focus the rest of
this demonstration
on. Picture shows
the smaller branches
removed and the
area to be stripped of
the bark down to the
cambium layer.
Picture D to the right
shows the area has
been wetted with the
liquid dip-n-grow with
a small paint brush
and  the the dry
hormodium 3 caked
on the area.
D.
E.
F.
Shown in picture E is the plastic rooting
cup in place. It just hinges closed and
snaps into place, very simple!!
Shown in picture F is the cup filled with  
wet sphagnum moss. Be careful not to
knock off the powdered rooting hormone
when placing moss in cup.
G.
H.
Picture G above shows plastic lid to be
placed on cup according to instructions
provided...... it's simple as pushing the
extending plastic tabs down into the slots on
the sides of the .
Picture H above shows lid in place.
I.
J.
Picture I shows the 2nd branch I layered and picture J shows them both together. As you can see
in the photos there is water in the bottom of the cups. That is a reservoir to hold water that is
drawn up in to the moss as needed, this helps to keep the moss from drying out. Care fully check
for roots in 6-8 weeks, after 3-4 months a nice root ball should be growing in your cup or
saran/tinfoil wrap. You may then separate your air layering and pot being careful not to over water
the new plant and new roots and keep in a protected area out of the direct full sun and wind. Good
luck and most of all.......have fun!! Click here to e-mail questions