WHAT IS AIR LAYERING ?

 

Air layering is a vegetative method

 of plant propagation in which we 

propagate new plants from a stem

 while it is still attached to the 

parent plant.(Mother plant).

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MATERIAL REQUIRED

1. A clean sharp knife.
2. Sphagnum moss.
3. Rooting hormone.(IBA(Indole-3-butyric acid)) or 

   NAA(Naphthalene Acetic Acid))
4. Polyethylene film.
5. Tape or Thread.

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WHEN TO DO AIR LAYERING ?

• • Spring or early summer even monsoon is best time for air layering.(March to August)
  • when the plant is healthy and actively growing. 

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PROCEDURE..

1. First of all we select a healthy plants

   and its healthy branches.It should be

   one year old at least

2. Branch thickness should be about 

     pencil size.
3. By the help of knife we remove a Ring 

    of cambium layer.

4. Apply rooting hormone.
5. cover that portion by moist Sphagnum

    moss (holds the moisture)
6. wrap the stem by polythene and tape.
7. After 3 to 8 week Roots will be emerge.

                                                              8. New plant is ready for transplant.

 

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PLANTS COMMONLY PROPAGATED BY AIR LAYERING :

It is commonly used for Woody plants which are difficult to propagate by cuttings.

• • Fruit Tree’s like – pomegranate,guava,citrus, litchi.
  • Ornamental plants like – hibiscus, Bougainvillea.
  • Indoor plants like – rubber plants, fiddle leaf fig.
  • Woody shrubs.

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ADVANTAGES OF AIR LAYERING:

• • High success rate.
  • Produce new plants faster then seeds.
  • Genetic similarity in new plants.
  • Good for difficult to root plants.

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DISADVANTAGES OF AIR LAYERING:

• • Takes time.
  • Required expertise.
  • limited number of plants.
  • Required careful moisture control.