Content
Reproduction of an apple tree by air layering is one of the ways to obtain a seedling with the specific properties of the mother plant. Therefore, many gardeners use it to preserve their favorite crop variety. In order for the reproduction procedure to be successful, it is necessary to comply with the timing and rules of its implementation. Only in this case can you obtain a viable seedling, which will subsequently be able to fully develop and produce a generous harvest.
This method allows you to preserve the variety you like without resorting to grafting
Is it possible to propagate an apple tree by layering?
Almost every gardener has used the propagation method by layering to obtain a shrub seedling at least once in his life. In this case, it is enough to bend the plant branch to the ground, deepen it 10 cm, fix it and sprinkle it. In the future, all that remains is to control the soil moisture so that the shoot develops roots, which will feed the seedling in the future.
But in the case of an apple tree, not everything is so simple. After all, its branch cannot be bent to the ground.However, the method of propagation by layering can still be applied to the apple tree, but by air, preserving the species properties without grafting. To do this, it is necessary to provide favorable conditions for the formation of roots in the air.
When is the best time to propagate apple trees by air layering?
The most favorable time of year to prepare for propagation of an apple tree by air layering is early spring before the tree’s growing season begins. In the future, work on rooting the shoot is recommended to be carried out at the beginning of summer. This will allow the young seedling to form root primordia before the onset of autumn cold weather.
Preparation for reproduction
Before proceeding directly to the procedure, it is important to prepare all the necessary materials and tools so that everything is at hand at the right time. You will need a 1.5 liter plastic bottle, a plastic sleeve and a special nutrient substrate. It is also worth taking care of the knife in advance, that is, sharpening it and disinfecting it immediately before work, so as not to introduce infection into open wounds.
To successfully propagate an apple tree by air layering, you will need a moisture-retaining substrate that can remain moist for a long time and at the same time no pathogenic microflora should form in it. Otherwise, all the gardener’s efforts may be wasted.
Possible substrate options for this method of reproduction:
- sphagnum moss;
- a mixture of equal proportions of moss, turf, compost and rotted sawdust;
- equal parts of rotted manure and plant humus;
- half garden soil and vermiculite;
- special mineral wool for hydroponics in the form of cubes.
An apple tree grown from air layering begins to bear fruit in 3-4 years.
How to propagate apple trees by air layering
To obtain a new seedling, you need to select a branch with high vital potential and build the structure correctly. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the main features of this propagation method.
Choosing and preparing an escape
To make air layering on an apple tree, you need to choose healthy, even, fruit-bearing branches from the well-lit side of the crown. The best option for propagation are two- and three-year-old shoots, slightly lignified, having a diameter of 1-1.5 cm and young growth, which can be identified by the greenish tint of the bark. The selected branch should be of sufficient length, but not branch.
Before proceeding directly to propagation, it is necessary to stretch the bark on the shoot. This will make it possible to make an incision of the required size without much difficulty. To do this, you will need to put a plastic sleeve on a section of the branch and wrap its edges on both sides with electrical tape to create a greenhouse effect inside. The length of such a structure should not exceed 40 cm. In this form, the shoot to create air layering should remain until the first half of June.
Rooting air layering of an apple tree
After the waiting period has expired, it is necessary to remove the sleeve, find the junction of the young growth with the main branch and step back from it 10 cm closer to the main conductor. It is here that you need to remove a 1 cm thick layer of bark into a circular layer. Then you need to make several additional longitudinal cuts from the damaged area upward, 1.5-2 cm long.
Algorithm for further actions for successful apple tree propagation:
- Place a plastic sleeve on the branch and secure it at the bottom with electrical tape below the cut.
- Pass the shoot through the bottle upside down so that its neck rests on the rewinding point.
- Pour Kornevin solution into the container so that it completely covers the cut.
- Close the upper part of the sleeve over the bottle and secure it to the branch with electrical tape.
- Tie the shoot with air layering so that it remains in an upright position to maintain sap flow in the tissues.
- After a day, make small holes in the structure below so that the liquid can completely drain out.
- Unwind the sleeve from above and fill the bottle with a well-moistened prepared substrate so that the soil level is 2 cm above the area where the bark is damaged.
In the future, it is necessary to lightly shade the structure on the branch using ordinary cardboard or newspapers. This will prevent the substrate from overheating inside. It is also necessary to periodically check the soil moisture and, if necessary, water the air layering. In hot weather, moisturize once every two days, and in cloudy weather - once a week.
The beginnings of roots on the shoot appear before the end of the season
Growing apple tree seedlings
It is important not only to take cuttings from an apple tree for propagation, but also to plant it correctly. After all, mistakes made can cause the death of a young seedling.
At the beginning of autumn, the upper part of the air layer must be shortened by half to the circular cut in the bark. And after another week, it needs to be completely cut off with pruning shears from the mother apple tree under the lower part of the sleeve.However, it is not recommended to remove the structure itself before planting.
After this, you need to prepare a hole for the seedling. It should be 50 by 50 cm in size. It is recommended to pour a 10 cm layer of drainage at the bottom, and fill the rest of the space with a nutrient substrate. To do this, you need to mix turf, humus, leaf soil and peat in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. The planting hole needs to be watered abundantly and a depression made in the center. Place the disconnected air layer into it at an angle, without removing the soil from the bottle from the bottom. This will allow the seedling to grow a powerful root system in the future. After this, it is necessary to compact the soil at the base of the rooted layer and mulch the soil surface with humus. For the winter it needs to be insulated with spruce branches.
It is not recommended to plant apple tree seedlings in open ground in the northern regions of the country in the fall. Therefore, in order to preserve air layering until spring, it is necessary to plant it in a pot with a nutrient substrate and transfer it to the basement for wintering. Throughout the entire storage period, the seedling needs to be watered. In this case, it is recommended to plant the rooted cuttings in a permanent place in mid-April, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently.
Trees grown from air layering are characterized by increased endurance
The first year after planting, it is necessary to pay increased attention to the seedling. It is recommended to water it regularly so that the soil always remains slightly moist. It is also necessary to remove weeds growing around and loosen the soil at the base. This will maintain air access to the roots.
When the seedling has fully taken root and begins to grow, it needs to be fed with nitroammophos at the rate of 20 g per 10 liters of water.And in the second half of summer, you should fertilize the young apple tree with wood ash to increase winter hardiness. To do this, you will need to pour 100 g of the component into 1 liter of hot water and leave for a day. After time, the volume of liquid must be increased to 10 liters. It is recommended to water the young seedling with the resulting solution. For the first three years, a grown tree needs to be insulated for the winter.
Conclusion
Apple tree propagation by air layering is one of the ways to independently obtain high-quality planting material. However, it is worth understanding that its use does not provide a 100% guarantee of preserving the crop variety you like. After all, not all apple trees have layering that takes root easily. But it’s still worth trying, even if you need to make several attempts to reproduce.
