Rooting top of plant to create another root ball?

[Ocotillo]

I understand what you're saying. Sorry, we did get a bit side tracked with layering and more side tracked with cloning.

You want to try a plant with two bottoms and no top. The top will get buried and hopefully root. I'd say it's worth a try and I'd expect it would work. I think it would work because if you take a plant and chop it in half, the bottom half will grow more. I'd say it's the same if you bury it in soil. IMHO, roots are roots and will feed whatever needs it including all the side branches. I say go for it! If you don't I just may try it myself.

Again, excellent question and great picture. Do you do portraits?

My idea was not to create another plant or clone ... it was to increase the nutrient entry point ... two roots are better then one ...

I'm hoping when planted, the top of the plant will stop growing upward and to root itself ... then all the plant energy will go into the side branches ...

just wondering if the internal cell structure allows nutrients and water to move bi-directional inside the plant ... it moves up the plant, but can it move down? If so then this will work.

I will be working on this one ... will keep you posted