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Post by smsmith on Jan 29, 2017 9:08:31 GMT -6
I've never tried an Omega tool or similar. I did start using a tack strip cutter to make the cuts on rootstock and scion though. Still need to use a knife to make the "tongue," but I'm sold on the cutter for making the angled cuts. At least one other person I know has tried the tack strip cutter and didn't like it at all...so, it's definitely not a panacea I guess.
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Post by leexrayshady on Jan 29, 2017 9:11:20 GMT -6
I've never tried an Omega tool or similar. I did start using a tack strip cutter to make the cuts on rootstock and scion though. Still need to use a knife to make the "tongue," but I'm sold on the cutter for making the angled cuts. At least one other person I know has tried the tack strip cutter and didn't like it at all...so, it's definitely not a panacea I guess. Is it similar to this? Craftsman 9-37309 Edge Utility Cutter www.amazon.com/dp/B0037IX2BG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DxGJyb65FH64A
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Post by smsmith on Jan 29, 2017 9:20:49 GMT -6
Lee, that looks similar but not the same. That one appears to have a blade and anvil. The one I use has an upper and lower blade (no anvil) This is the one I have www.menards.com/main/flooring-rugs/flooring-tools/roberts-tack-strip-cutter/p-1444451681077.htmI read about using a tool like that for grafting somewhere on the interwebs. I figured I'd give it a shot and was real happy with the results. I've always struggled to get nice flat cuts and this tool takes care of that for me. If a guy gets one, I'd go ahead and order/pick up some extra blades too. I get around a dozen cuts with a set of blades before they begin to dull. You can keep using the duller blades, but the cuts aren't as nice. Blades are cheap so I replace them. If a guy is doing hundreds of grafts, then the tool may not be the best way to go. For a dozen or two...I'm sold.
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Post by buckvelvet on Jan 30, 2017 8:56:45 GMT -6
The Opinel #6 is the bomb for grafting!
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 30, 2017 12:29:19 GMT -6
I've never tried an Omega tool or similar. I did start using a tack strip cutter to make the cuts on rootstock and scion though. Still need to use a knife to make the "tongue," but I'm sold on the cutter for making the angled cuts. At least one other person I know has tried the tack strip cutter and didn't like it at all...so, it's definitely not a panacea I guess. I tried it on 2 or 3 grafts and felt I could do better with the knife. With practice it might be much better.
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Post by nhmountains on Jan 30, 2017 17:54:45 GMT -6
I just stick with the cleft grafts because my scions have always been a lot smaller than the rootstock. The GRIN scions are large though so maybe I'll try the whip and tongue this year.
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Post by smsmith on Feb 8, 2017 9:30:30 GMT -6
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Post by smsmith on Feb 14, 2017 8:18:22 GMT -6
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 14, 2017 21:23:32 GMT -6
Here's a video of BV grafting last March. Great job!!
Just kidding but, those guys are banging out some grafts.
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Post by leexrayshady on Feb 16, 2017 9:21:58 GMT -6
wow that is an operation, look at the size of those scions
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Post by smsmith on Feb 17, 2017 7:26:59 GMT -6
A post from the NAFEX group on FB "A Dixie Red Delight apple I dug today from my nursery beds, for repotting. What's notable about that, you're wondering? This is a ROOT GRAFT I made last spring. I skipped the whole rootstock thing and grafted the scion directly onto a small piece of bare root, which I planted with the union BELOW ground. The union is right below that tag, you can see the swelling, and it served as a NURSE ROOT until the Dixie Red put out it's own roots, that fine cluster you see right above the tag. This was common practice in earlier centuries. Has anyone else experience with heirloom apples or pears on their own roots?"
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 17, 2017 20:47:39 GMT -6
I was going to ask you about that on Tuesday, Stu.
Pros or cons in our northern climates? Girdling more likely if tape is not exposed to the air or sunlight?
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Post by smsmith on Feb 17, 2017 21:05:12 GMT -6
I was going to ask you about that on Tuesday, Stu. Pros or cons in our northern climates? Girdling more likely if tape is not exposed to the air or sunlight? I really don't know. A tree on its own roots has certain advantages...but they'd also have some disadvantages (depending on a grower's goals). As far as girdling, I'd think you'd be okay with parafilm but I'd avoid grafting rubbers. I had a couple grafts last year on those damn, tiny ranetka rootstocks that were awfully close to being root grafts.
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 17, 2017 21:33:41 GMT -6
what grew the best on the ranetka?
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Post by smsmith on Feb 17, 2017 21:39:25 GMT -6
I think MN 131 (a wild apple that grows near Opole) and the Maya apple both got to around 4.5' on ranetka. I've got a number of others that are around 3.5-4'.
Dolgo did better overall....but they were much larger rootstocks too.
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