Air Layering Propagation: A Three Step Demo

For my agricultural mechanics demonstration, I opted for an air layering plant propagation. Air layering was not a technique I tried before, so I learned with the students. The demonstration was presented for my microteaching unit in AEE 100.

When presenting the information, I have many places where I would adapt or change if I were to teach this in the classroom. First off, it is very difficult to teach air-layering propagation in a 15 minute session. I received feedback from my classmates in AEE 100. The most common piece of advice was that this lesson should not be taught in a 15 minute session. If I were to teach air layering again, I would block out time for an entire day.

I would also love to expand and experiment with a few different plants. For this demonstration, I used two plants I propagated from cuttings in my PLANT 220 class. I demonstrated the technique on a philodendron and the students worked on a ficus tree. In the classroom, I would love to find a plant outside, like a larger tree, to practice on. I was also told spider plants are easily propagated through air layering.

After this experience, I learned more about working to give students the appropriate amount of time to complete a task. I felt as though I was rushing through the lesson and my students agreed. As I enter student teaching next semester, I will be sure to save enough time in the classroom to teach about the propagation technique before demonstrating. I loved learning how to perform an air layering propagation and I am excited to see how my plants continue to grow!