Octarooter Air Layer Root Baller

A simplified and supportless remix of the air baller by Taluene.

I thought the Taluene's Air Layer root ball concept was solid but wanted to avoid printing a bunch of supports, so I re-designed this to use bridging instead, and no supports which nearly halves the print-time. I also wasn't a fan of the clip (I wasn't convinced I could get it around the stem without snapping the clips) so this version relies on common garden wire twists instead. I also added two more connection points on the side of the ball because I noticed that commercial solutions often have 4 anchors, not just two.

So, it's not a ball any more, but roots shouldn't care what shape it is. I roughly followed Taluene's sizing, but you can scale the print as required since it's now just two halves.

Take a look at the gallery images for notes on how to configure your slicer for ledges so that bridging has something to hold onto.

Still confused about what this is? - It's an enclosure to clone bushes or trees directly on the plant. Stuff it with soaked sphagnum moss or other rooting support, plus some rooting powder and clamp it onto a section of stem that has had the bark stripped and more rooting hormone applied. The foliage beyond the ball should be 12 to 24 inches in length. Wait 4-6 weeks (longer for some plants & seasons - look it up), for roots to grow inside the ball, then cut it off and plant your new clone.

I experimented with two balls made from gold PLA because it's dark inside and reflects the heat/light. so might be less prone to drying out & overheating than black. I made another one with white ABS to compare - it's fairly reflective but not completely dark inside.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Prusa

Printer:

i3 MK2.5

Rafts:

No

Supports:

No

Resolution:

0.2mm

Infill:

Concentric

Filament: HZST & Hatchbox PLA & ABS Gold Silk & White