tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post1782139255675550649..comments2024-03-28T09:22:44.210-04:00Comments on Gardening along the creek...: My Apple Grafting Experiencedariushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-1474186590452748382012-08-16T10:26:50.523-04:002012-08-16T10:26:50.523-04:00I'm afraid you might be right. sigh. Also, the...I'm afraid you might be right. sigh. Also, the rootstock was very small in diameter, and even the instructor apologized for it.dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-2791280287033095062012-08-16T10:22:34.253-04:002012-08-16T10:22:34.253-04:00I suspect that pinching off the growth might have ...I suspect that pinching off the growth might have been a mistake. Without photosynthesis, the sun's energy can't be converted. The starch stored in the rootstocks roots over the winter doesn't last long. I'll bet that not only did the grafts not take but the rootstock died as well. <br /><br />It would seem to me that keeping the leaf growth below the graft union until the scionwood buds fully leaf out and start growing is probably a good idea. <br /><br />Regards,<br />MikeMikeHhttp://portageperennials.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-49229127434821448782012-08-16T09:56:04.068-04:002012-08-16T09:56:04.068-04:00Sorry, typo. The rootstock PUT out growth...Sorry, typo. The rootstock PUT out growth...dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-77006096300010101272012-08-16T09:55:22.416-04:002012-08-16T09:55:22.416-04:00Yes, the rootstock but out growth below the union,...Yes, the rootstock but out growth below the union, but I pinched it off. Was that a mistake?<br /><br />The instructor inspected each graft I made before we wrapped them, so I assume he knew what he was doing.dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-3296981323216725532012-08-16T09:44:55.949-04:002012-08-16T09:44:55.949-04:00Darius,
Could be any number of reasons - scionwoo...Darius,<br /><br />Could be any number of reasons - scionwood that wasn't properly refrigerated, poor cambium contact which often occurs if you "whittle" the wood and the surface isn't not flat as a result. Timing is pretty important. The rootstock needs to start growing quickly in order to force the scion into bud but the wound also needs to callus over. Did the rootstock survive, ie, did it put out growth below the graft union?<br /><br />I had to "park" some scionwood this year because I didn't have enough rootstock to I cleft grafted onto the branches of some wild apples. Only one failed. I also cleft grafted onto rootstock and neither took even though it was a smooth cut and the tape made a good seal. <br /><br />When you bud graft, the bud is inserted into a t-shaped cut in the rootstock. After taping, the rootstock is allowed to grow while the bud stays dormant until next year. If graft takes and the bud breaks dormancy next spring, the rootstock is cut a few inches above the graft and the new shoot is tied to the remaining rootstock stub to train it vertically. Eventually, the stub is trimmed. If the graft doesn't take, the rootstock isn't cut and can be used again.<br /><br />With bud grafting you also get more grafting material. The rule of thumb is two to three buds are required for successful grafting. With bud grafting, it's possible to use all two or three buds if none is a fruit bud.<br /><br />Regards,<br />MikeMikeHhttp://portageperennials.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-31037757150744815202012-08-16T08:31:49.677-04:002012-08-16T08:31:49.677-04:00Mike, to my dismay, none of them took. Two actuall...Mike, to my dismay, none of them took. Two actually put out tiny leaves from one bud, but then soon died. I don't know why, but I'll try again!<br /><br />I'm not sure what you mean about only cutting the rootstock (bud grafting) if the graft takes.dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-7166519709929059462012-08-16T08:20:54.790-04:002012-08-16T08:20:54.790-04:00How did the grafts do with all of this heat?
I...How did the grafts do with all of this heat?<br /><br />I've been very pleased with how my apple rootstock trench layering has done this year. In a space 3' x 10', I have 6 trees layered with will each produce about 5 rootstocks next spring although I may cut them and pot them up this fall after they have gone dormant. I'll sink the pots into the ground to overwinter them.<br /><br />BTW, bud grafting is a far easier technique that doesn't put the rootstock at risk because you only cut the rootstock if the graft takes. If it doesn't, you can pick another spot on the rootstock and bud graft again. You can also bud graft during the summer while things are growing.<br /><br />Regards,<br />MikeMikeHhttp://portageperennials.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-48742817036995848722012-04-27T12:46:25.940-04:002012-04-27T12:46:25.940-04:00Thanks, Mike. Great resource links!
I don't h...Thanks, Mike. Great resource links!<br /><br />I don't have space for more apple trees, but would love to grow my own rootstock and maybe sell a few grafted apple trees.dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-603055518123606194.post-20443139126011169222012-04-27T12:02:12.045-04:002012-04-27T12:02:12.045-04:00Fantastic. Grow your own rootstock - http://vimeo....Fantastic. Grow your own rootstock - http://vimeo.com/album/1630647/video/25814288 and choose your variety from among 4900 malus varieties including 1300 varieties of <em>Malus domestica</em> held in the GRIN collection - http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/acc/acc_queries.htmlMikeHhttp://portageperennials.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com