Today we’re taking a look at a special kind of layering: air layering. Remember, layering is the propagation method to use for plants that fall to the ground and make roots. Some plants, however, have that ability but will never actually fall, such as a macadamia tree. Many such trees can be propagated by air layering. Instead of bringing the plant to the ground, we bring the ground to the plant. Take a look at the video below to see the process!

To begin an air layer, strip about 1″ of bark from around a branch. Paint this area with rooting hormone and then wrap it with a plastic bag full of moist wood chips. Inside of this protected area, roots will begin to grow. After 3 months you’ll be able to see new roots forming all around the cut, and at the point you may break the branch off below and plant it as a whole new macadamia tree.

The new tree can be planted in a nursery bag or directly into the ground. If you use a bag, remember to use the weight of the bag itself to pack the earth in so that all the roots have full contact with the soil, and the bottom is flat so that the plant can stand upright without support.

Air layering is a power propagation technique which really speeds up the process of fruit tree propagation. We hope you enjoyed this video and found it helpful!

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