What are the Steps of Layering?
Layering, a plant propagation technique, involves encouraging roots to develop on a stem while it's still attached to the parent plant. There are various types of layering, but the basic steps are similar. This explanation focuses on air layering, a common method.
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Select a Branch: Choose a healthy, flexible stem on a mature plant. The ideal branch should be about the thickness of a pencil. [Source: https://www.instructables.com/Propagation-of-Fruit-Bearing-Trees-by-Air-Layering/]
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Girdling: Make a circular cut or girdle around the branch, removing a 1-2 cm section of bark. This interrupts the flow of nutrients, encouraging root development at the cut site. [Source: Take a plant and peel off 1 cm of the bark in a circular shape.]
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Apply Rooting Hormone (Optional): For faster results, apply a rooting hormone powder to the exposed area.
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Add Growing Medium: Wrap the girdled area with a moist mixture of sphagnum moss, coconut fiber, soil, and sawdust, ensuring it's tightly packed. This provides a humid environment conducive to root growth. [Source: Cover the exposed part with coconut fibre, soil and sawdust.]
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Cover and Seal: Wrap the entire growing medium with a plastic sheet, securing it at both ends. This maintains moisture and humidity. [Source: Cover this with a polythene sheet.]
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Monitor and Maintain: Regularly check the moisture level, adding water if necessary. Roots will typically develop within a few weeks to months. [Source: Roots can be observed to grow here within days.]
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Sever and Plant: Once roots have formed, cut the stem below the rooted area, separating the new plant from the parent. Plant the new plant in a suitable pot or location. [Source: Cut this part and place it in soil.]
Other Types of Layering:
While air layering is detailed above, other forms of layering exist, including:
- Simple Layering: Bending a low-growing stem to the ground, burying a portion, and securing it.
- Compound Layering: Similar to simple layering but with multiple stems buried from one parent plant.
- Serpentine Layering: Looping a long stem in and out of the soil at intervals, encouraging roots along the length of the stem. [Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/propagation/layering]
