Air Layering?

[GrowPops]

I Have a mother plant that has been in an upstairs window and although nice and healthy it is a bit leggy. I want to take clones from it to be ready for placing in flower cabinet in around 3 or 4 weeks. While looking for an alternative to my bubble cloner (due to height of cutting and a late start getting clones ready for the next cycle ) I came across a few articles on this subject with several different techniques.
I didn't find much using our (RIU - forum) search engine but I know the information I am looking for is here.
Any input or insight would greatly appreciated. .

 

[makka]

couple different ways you can pull down a branch and bury it leaving the growing tip above ground or you can wrap a bag around the branch u want and fill with soil

 

[GrowPops]

I am leaning towards the bag idea and taking the two main tops (plant was topped once when smaller). That would allow for a bigger starting plant once rooted and would also decrease the size of the mother .

 

[GrowPops]

Bump!
Anybody with experience?

 

[GrowPops]

Here we go. Some things you just have to know. Without being able to find a living entity with experience I am still intrigued by this concept and decided to try and share my experience. I chose the 4 main stems for this experiment as this plant is getting a little out of hand for its location and they offer the largest starter plants if successful.

1st branch. I started with small circumference rings to establish size and location of exposure. I then trimmed one side of the outer layer, as I reached around I barely touched a fan leaf and heard the dreaded "snap", as I watched the top of the plant topple. No big deal ......now I have a control for my experiment.
I quickly gathered material, stripped the remaining stem as I would normally, coated with take root, planted, and placed in my clone/terrarium.
This is where I partook of a nice bowl to steady my hands and open my mind.
2nd branch.
I found some skewers and fashioned a splint, and added a support wire from the ceiling.
I then shaved about 3/4" of the outer layers off the stem without ringing them.
I place a couple of diagonal cuts a little deeper, coated well with take root.
I formed a funnel shaped piece of tin foil, filled it with seed starting soil, and then packed and sealed it around the area.
I left the top slightly open to be used as a funnel for watering with a syringe.
After 2 days all both are doing well.
3rd - 4th branches. I tried to mimic what I did on the second and had no real issues while working.

And... I took some pictures along the way.

 

[CC Dobbs]

I've done air layering on Litchi and it was mostly successful. You need to use a mostly sterile medium so that the biological life doesn't decompose the cambium layer before root initiation. Keep moist and at an even, warm 75-80 degrees and you might see roots against the plastic in a couple - 3 weeks.

 

[GrowPops]

I've done air layering on Litchi and it was mostly successful. You need to use a mostly sterile medium so that the biological life doesn't decompose the cambium layer before root initiation. Keep moist and at an even, warm 75-80 degrees and you might see roots against the plastic in a couple - 3 weeks.

Awesome.
I used the regular seed starting mix that I started the seeds and rooted my other clones with so I am hopeful.
I was worried about issues arising from the exposure of so much tissue. Although I was more concerned for the mother plant than the actual propagation. There shouldn't be much in it as it is dry and I always hydrate it about an hour before use.
Thanks for the input, It is always good learning from others experiences, and I try to share mine (good or bad).

 

[cannabisdreams]

I know zero about this so I'm learning from you. Is it necessary to cut the stem up ? what if you just applied the soil/foil ? Wouldn't roots grow anyway? Now you have me curious... let me go pick a victim.....

 

[cannabisdreams]

Oops, i should have read further back, looks like Makka already stated this.

 

[GrowPops]

I know zero about this so I'm learning from you. Is it necessary to cut the stem up ? what if you just applied the soil/foil ? Wouldn't roots grow anyway? Now you have me curious... let me go pick a victim.....

I wanted to build a stand for four pots next to the mother to train the stems into instead of the foil but the wife wasn't up for a contraption that size in the bedroom....I have my own play room is I think how she put it.