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Post by Freeborn on Apr 24, 2017 20:34:53 GMT -6
After repeated calls to Walden Heights Nursery I finally got my rootstock. I was suprised to see the rootstock has started to bud, is this a problem?
If they are OK to graft can I cut them back without a problem?
Also, these are the smallest rootstock I have ever worked with. Most of the scion I have came from Grin and they are 1-2 16th larger in diameter than this renetka rootstock. Do you have any recomendations on how to graph large scion to small rootstock. I can see I am going to have to support the graft with bamboo stakes until they have healed.
In the past I have only used B118 rootstock from cummins and they have always been large and in great condition. I can see these are going to be quite the challenge.
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Post by Freeborn on Apr 24, 2017 20:44:08 GMT -6
Here is a picture of the rootstock:
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Post by nhmountains on Apr 25, 2017 2:51:28 GMT -6
FB,
How do the roots look on the rootstock? If there's enough roots then I'd think you'd be ok grafting because the top working is done with the leaves being active.
The issue of the size diffference may be a tough getting good cambium contact. If you cleft grafted one side of the scion with full contact and thinned the other edge it may work ok. I'd cut the scion to only 2 buds and use the upper thinner sections for cuttings.
I've never done saddle grafts but that might work as well.
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Post by nhmountains on Apr 25, 2017 4:29:06 GMT -6
Hey FB,
I was moving some more grafts this morning to roottrapper and noticed one of them was not grafted and was starting to leaf out so I'll be grafting one more rootstock tonight.
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Post by Freeborn on Apr 25, 2017 5:29:37 GMT -6
FB, How do the roots look on the rootstock? If there's enough roots then I'd think you'd be ok grafting because the top working is done with the leaves being active. The issue of the size diffference may be a tough getting good cambium contact. If you cleft grafted one side of the scion with full contact and thinned the other edge it may work ok. I'd cut the scion to only 2 buds and use the upper thinner sections for cuttings. I've never done saddle grafts but that might work as well. Thanks NH, The roots look very good, some of them are larger than the top of the rootstock. Can you clarify, would you work the top of rootstock becasue its active, or would you cut the rootstock back to less buds. Agree I will have some challenges with the diameter of the rootstock. I like the idea of just doing one side as it will make it easier to line up the cambium. I will have some challenges binding them together and keeping them together, Thanks!
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Post by smsmith on Apr 25, 2017 6:02:28 GMT -6
I've seen some folks who want their rootstocks to begin leafing out before grafting (NOT the scions though). I'd graft them up and expect good results.
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Post by nhmountains on Apr 25, 2017 6:49:03 GMT -6
I'd do as Stu suggested. You should be good to go as long as the scions haven't leafed out.
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Post by Freeborn on Apr 25, 2017 6:55:53 GMT -6
Excellent, Thanks Fellas!
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Post by Sandbur on Apr 25, 2017 13:02:59 GMT -6
I've seen some folks who want their rootstocks to begin leafing out before grafting (NOT the scions though). I'd graft them up and expect good results. Scion breaking bud is not good? I tried to use the pieces where buds appeared dormant. Had trouble with one batch of scion from out east.
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Post by nhmountains on May 11, 2017 20:55:21 GMT -6
How are the grafts doing FB?
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Post by Freeborn on May 11, 2017 21:20:23 GMT -6
How are the grafts doing FB? The rootstock is awake but so far the scion's show no sign of changing. The rootstock buds are waking and just starting to show some green. I should probably pinch them off but they are very small so I'm going to wait a few days. Do you ever mist or spray your rootstock/scion to make certain they stay moist? I have these grafts on my patio under one of my porches. There is no direct sunlight but there is indirect sunlight. I have thought about trying to provide some direct sunlight but have decided against it. Considering the rootstocks are starting to show some growth maybe I am on schedule? Its been a couple weeks so I am expecting the scion to do something pretty soon.
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Post by nhmountains on May 11, 2017 21:37:56 GMT -6
How warm has it been there ? Mid 60s and above? I pinch or rub off all but one leafing bud on the rootstock. I've never had to mist the grafts. I'd leave them be for a while longer. We finally got to 60 here today and I noticed mine leafed out more today.
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Post by Freeborn on May 11, 2017 22:04:25 GMT -6
Our evenings have been quite cool and in the past week we started to have temps in the mid 60's. Evenings have been in the 40's the past 2 weeks and cooler a week ago. The leafing picked up the past couple days with the warmer temps. I
I have been reading that scions can show little signs of taking up to a month. Fingers crossed.
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Post by nhmountains on May 12, 2017 4:57:27 GMT -6
I've had them take from March until July before so don't give up hope. Did you seal the graft union with parafilm? I usually dunk the whole graft in a tall tin can filled with melted beeswax /paraffin wax combo. This seals everything and keeps the moisture in.
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Post by Freeborn on May 12, 2017 5:20:49 GMT -6
Yep, they are sealed with parafilm and I used rubber bands as I wanted them tight and they were so small. I understand its better to have the grafts awaken later than early.
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