Evening star., 1953-06-14

Layering is the common name
for a standard method of propa-
eating woody shrubs, it may also
be used to increase the number
Of plants of some of the more or
less woody perennialS. Layering
is q very old method of propa-
eating, but there are modern i'm
provements that make this prac-
tice easy and interesting.
Briefly, layering is used to pro-
duce roots on a portion of a
shrub (branch or twig) before it
is severed from the parent. In
ancient times, a container was
fastened around q branch and
filled with q suitable media for
the roots to grow in. It required
daily watering to keep the root
ing media moist. Even today we
use split flower pots for this pur-
pose, they are filled with sphag-
mum moss.
The modern version Of this
method Of propagation is to wrap
the moss in q polyethylene sheet,
a material that retains the mois-
ture but permits the necessary
passage Of gases. The use of the
plastic wrap Is the new thing in
air layering. The selected twig
is notched, perhaps treated with
one of the hormones sold for this
purpose, and then a handful of
damp (not Soggy wet) sphagnum'
moss is fastened around the twig
where the roots are wanted. The
ball of moss is then tightly COW
cred with the polyethylene and
securely fastened so that there
is no loss of moisture. Budding"
bands, the special rubber strips
used by rose growers are excellent
for this purpose. John L. Creech,
superintendent of the Plant In
PRODUCTION Station, Glenn Dale,
Nd, has had much experience
with this type of propagation,
and has found 1t effective, espe-
cially If started early in the
season.
Root Growth Can Be Seen.
1t requires from 4 to 8 weeks
for good root formation. Usually
the root growth in the more ad-
vanced stages can be noted
through the plastic. When well
developed roots are evident, the
rooted layer is cut from the par
ent just below the root mass.
The plastic is then removed and
the root-f1lled ball of moss plant
ed in a well-prepared bed. Do not
attempt to remove the moss or
to shorten the stem below the
root ball-to do so will injure
the tender new roots. Shade
and protect the rooted plant for
several days until it is estab-
lished and growing.
Air layering Is fun and it is
practicable. The moss and the
plastic are not expensive. Use
new, dry moss as it comes from
the dealer. The plastic may be
obtained in sheets, but most
gardeners will probably borrow"
a few of the plastic bags used
by the wife for storing food in
the freezer. Certainly the work
involved is small.
Some woody plants are diff
cult to propagate by other meth
DDS and for them, air layering
Is probably the most effective
even though the percentage of
rooted layers may be low. The
layers may be made at any sea-
son. but it is most advantageous
to do them early so that the
plants will be we'll established
before cold weather.
Roofing in Soil.
Inc second metn0d OF layer
ing is to bend a shoot over until
it rests on the soil. Cut a notch
into the twig at this point, treat
with the roofing hormone, and
place moss or a pebble in the
notch to keep it from growing
back together. This done, scoop
out furrow and peg the notched |
twig into it. Cover with a soil
mixture containing peat moss
or sphagnum moss. A stone
placed over the point of notch
ing will help to keep the soil
cool and moist at that point.
Layering Of woody plants by
this second method is also easy
and inexpensive. The work
should be done fairly early in
the season so that a we'll de-
veloped root system will be
g. = u