How will these ideas work with Air Layering?

Question

So I've seen this tree in my yard and always wanted to grow one.Looked up a bunch of tehcniques and settled with Air layering.

Now I've heard about honey being very useful in trying to grow roots.Some people say that it is antibactierial and helps stop fungus growing. I plan to use it as a 'root hormone' thingy but I need some clarification on this.

In this air layering stuff absolutely everbody I've read said that you need sphagnum moss. Is there some alternative to this?

I was thinking of using dirt,coffee grounds, and honey ( Its sticky and 'antibactierial') instead.Will that work?

Please Answer and Thank you ._.

Answer 1

Air layering can be pretty tricky. Stick closely to the tried and true methods. Sphagnum moss is part of what makes air layering work.

Of course if you just want to play around and experiment your idea is fine. Why not do several the recommended way and several using some of your various ideas; see which one works best.

You didn't say what type of tree it is. If you would let me know you may not have to go to all that trouble. If it is a crapemyrtle or willow, etc. you can just take a clipping and it will root on its own.

You can also take a low lying branch (of many types) and put a rock on it weighting it down to the ground. It will likely form roots where it touches the soil. Don't disturb it for several months then when you check it, if roots have formed cut the branch off with the roots and you willl have cloned a new tree. That's the easiest method.

You can also buy some rooting hormone. There are two types; one is a powder but they also make a liquid type that is stronger and is used for rooting more difficult plants like some evergreens, etc. They both work reliably well. Good luck.