1. Etiolation chamber. The tree was topped and the regrowth was covered with vermiculite. Black plastic was used to exclude light and the white plastic bucket used to reflect heat.
2. Etiolated shoots. The black plastic had been opened (wind?) prior to our arrival allowing some light to enter the chamber, note to green on the taller shoots.
3. The base of the selected shoot was scraped with a sharp blade.
4. A plastic cup is placed around the shoot.
5. Rooting hormone is brushed onto the shoot in the area where it was previously scraped (in step 3).
6. Potting soil is carefully placed in the plastic cup. It will need to be kept moist during the rooting process.
7. The plastic bucket seen in photo #1 is placed back around the shoots and filled with potting soil.
8. A shade cloth is placed over the top to prevent sun damage to the etiolated shoots.
Note: Due to irrigation problems this proceedure did not work this time. We are allowing the tree to regrow and will try again.