Here is how I air-layered a small Magnolia liliflora ‘Susan’ that was planted in front of my house.
Preparing the air-layer - June 19, 2022
Bark and cambium is completely removed around the branch to layer.
After applying rooting hormone to the upper edge of the cut, the stem is wrapped with moist spagnum moss in a pastic bag. Drainage holes are drilled in the upper and lower sections.
The first roots - August 10, 2022
It is still too early to cut the air-layer from the parent plant.
The foliage from the air-layer is weakening as it is producing roots and lacks nutrients.
Separation - September 6, 2022
Once the bag is full of roots we can separate the layer.
Pot preparation
Holes are drilled to the bottom of a terracota pot to pass anchor wires.
Clean-up of the roots
The root ball is soaked into a bucked of water to unpack the moss. A chopstick is used to remove most of the moss carefully.
Potting
I used 100 % akadama, medium sized media.
Flower and leaf buds
At this time of the years buds are already formed and show their specific duvet for winter protection.
