Air layering phal spikes?

[Kelo]

Does anyone think that air layering a node on a spike will induce the spike to produce a keiki or would this method not work?

[dounoharm]

i have read something about that once upon a time, but havent personaly had any luck with it....

[Jennyfleur]

Ummm, what's 'air layering'?

[Kelo]

Air layering is used in horticulture to propagate crop bearing trees, shrubs etc. You wrap some damp moss or mud around a twig or branch, wrap it up, keep it moist for a few months and hey presto you cut it off and you have a new plant that is capable of producing a crop. Saves on waiting years for a plant to mature from seed.

[Jennyfleur]

Ah, thank you you learn something new everyday!

[Kelo]

I have many gooseberry bushes using this method.

[Jennyfleur]

I wish I'd known it three years ago then, I lost all my gooseberry bushes due to adverse weather conditions

[Kelo]

I can send you one or two lol. One new bush I have has berries well over an inch long!

[JerseyGirlBecky]

My husbands cousin is into bonsai and air layers all the time. I do think you must make a small cut or scrape in the branch under the moss. that is where the new roots will form? I will ask him as he is the expert, not I.

[Kelo]

Yes, cutting or scratching the surface does indeed induce roots to form. It's a very successful technique and in large horticulture producer saves a lot of money when stock needs to be increased or replaced. Friends in India do this to increase the amount of their mangoes, I believe.