Simple Layering

This technique basically consists of burying a section of a branch and allowing roots to form on the buried part, prior to severing the new plant from the parent. Select a young, healthy, low-growing shoot, ideally one pruned the previous season, and from early spring to mid summer, dig a shallow trench in well-worked, well-draining soil, to layer it into.

Remove side shoots and leaves from the branch, except from its very tip. Next, cut a small strip of bark, 2" long, from the branch some 10-12" from its tip, and brush with rooting hormone. Bend the branch into the trench and peg into place, taking care not to bend it so much that it will break. Bend the tip of the branch so that it points up out of the soil. Stake the tip in an upright position.

Note: while this is the recommended technique, often just bending the branch down and burying some part of its length will suffice to root this branch.

Keep the branch well watered until rooted, and sever from parent in midfall. Check late fall or the following spring: if good root development has taken place, the layer is ready for transplantation.

 

Related Topics Air Layering Serpentine Layering Tip or Trench Layering Trees and Shrubs

 
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