PDC LESSON 3.24 NURSERY – LAYERING AND MARCOTTING

 

PERMACULURE COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

PDC LESSON 3.24 NURSERY – LAYERING AND MARCOTTING

 

are two methods of encouraging living root stock to form roots while still attached to the plant.  

Layering is the easiest method of the two and it is simply a matter of drawing down a lower branch of the plant and pushing a tent peg over it and making a forced contact with the ground. Many plants will effectively start to strike rootlets (like strawberry runners) but some woodier plants might need a cut made into the underside of the branch so that when the branch is pulled down it will open up slightly to expose some of the inner part of the branch. The rootlets should begin to form from this cut.

 

Marcotting is a similar method but more suitable for higher up in a tree. To reproduce a particular tree you need to have a plastic bag with a soil mix in it. Choose a branch that is no more than a large thumb size in thickness and with a very sharp knife work away 1 inch of the bark all around the circumference. Choose soil that has some clay content in it to allow it to stick together somewhat and place in the plastic bag, pack this against the cut section of the branch and wrap the plastic tight around it. 

 

This will work when the tree is in the active growth stage especially when the weather warms up and in a period with high rainfall to ensure plenty of humidity. Within a few months you will have a tree large enough to plant out and have a great head start- and it’s free!