A method of propagating plants, air layering consists of:

1. Make 4-5 slits about an inch long around a stem 5-10" from the tip, cutting only through the bark and not into the wood. Dust slits with rooting powder. Alternate methods would include:

A. A notch may also be cut into the stem or a strip of bark 1 inch long may be removed directly beneath a leaf node. Often a deep slit is made upwards toward the tip of the shoot and the slit is held open with a thin sliver of wood.

3. Tie the bag firmly at the top and wrap string, raffia, tape, etc., around the rest of the moss ball to give it added support. In a few weeks you should be able to see small roots growing from the slits, notch, etc. and spreading into the moss.

4. After approximately 8 weeks when moss is filled with roots, remove plastic and cut the new plant free, cutting the stem just below the moss; pot the new plant, moss and all, in a potting soil recommended for the parent plant.

Note: Some plants are much slower to root and it may take 6-9 months before roots form.

Success in rooting by the air layering process is determined greatly by the time of the year, the age and condition of the plant. Air layering can be done at any time with most success being achieved during the spring. Most woody plants that are difficult to reproduce from cuttings are best propagated by air layering. Plants used as houseplants, such as Philodendron, Rubber Plants, Dieffenbachia, Ficus, Cordyline, Dracaena, Croton, and Chinese Evergreen lend themselves suitable for this type of propagation process. Other plants that are usually best handled by the air layering process include:

Other names used for air layering include: Circumposition, ringing, mossing, stem layering, Chinese layering and botanically Marcotting.