Hello,
First time doing an air layer. Looks like it’s going well.
It’s a crape Myrtle. It was started in mid May.
My question is, is this ready to be removed? If not when would be a good time. Does weather affect this decision.
I live in Houston, Texas and temperatures are about to get very hot.
Second, when I do remove it. What substrate is recommended for the delicate roots?
I have wrapped this back up for the time being. Thanks in advance for any advice.
You have a good root growth but to be safe wait good 12 weeks from the air layering. Perhaps cover the root ball with more soil and make sure you keep it moist through the hot weeks to come.
Alternatively you can remove it but humid environment with good wind and scorching sun protection will be definitely needed.
You can go for any soil, add pumice to support further root grow. Just avoid akadama which is for bonsai in refinement.
Ryan recommends to remove deciduous air layers after fall leaf drop. This takes advantage of the fall vascular growth period of the year. After separation just leave it in the plastic or whatever you used to make the air layer until bud swell in spring. You can use a nursery can with gravel in the bottom to keep it upright. You can use straight Akadama or a development mix. I usually screw a pice of plywood to the bottom of the trunk to attach to the container.
