These are similar to what I have:
3 Likes
Forgot to mention that the second photo is a chip bud graft. I used this tool that I bought from AM Leonard 4 or 5 years ago.
Curious if anyone in zones 7 or 8 are grafting pawpaws yet? I see the tip leaf pushing out and some greening and elongating on other leaf buds. We have a week of solid 70s coming up, but maybe that’s not enough for pawpaw.
@zendog I did a few couple days ago. Mine have the flowers opening with slight green tips for leaf. Maybe it’s early, but thinking they will be fine. I wanted to capitalize on those 70’s days.
Does anyone else notice some peaches/nectarines graft more easily? I had 4/4 snow queen grafts take successfully and I am about 0/6 on the other nectarine I tried grafting on. Super frustrating. Of course the one graft that looked like it was taking got hit by a soccer ball. RIP. I’m thinking maybe I’ll try a late summer graft as the PNW folks have suggested for their region in another thread.
1 Like
My poor bench grafts after one of our frequent coastal storms - this one only had sustained winds around 35mph (gusts around 50mph) but it was the first the grafts had experienced!
I’m actually amazed that this time I wasn’t picking containers / plants off the driveway - I think I’ve finally found the right stable configuration of planters on the patio to keep things from flying away. It’ll be a different story, and lots of creative rope rigging that gets raised eyebrows from the neighbours, once everything’s in full leaf over the summer.
Some look much less traumatised than these two, and I know everything will bounce back. What a rude welcome for the little sprouts, though! 
5 Likes
Nice.
@fruitbat
Where do you get that striped tape? I’ve seen several folks use it, but didn’t see it at the box store. I assume it’s electrical tape.
2 Likes
It’s electrical tape for earth wires. Should be in hardware stores.
2 Likes
@Shibumi I wouldn’t actually recommend it! My wife gave me the roll, which she’d picked up at a local hardware store chain (B&Q or Homebase) for another project; she thought it was rubber tape, but when I was using it it became clear that it’s vinyl, and a massive PITA because of the total lack of stretch before it snapped. I’ll be getting rubber tape next time for sure.
2 Likes
Aside from the bruised & battered bench grafts, I’m pretty happy with my first attempt at field grafting! I think everything save one backup / pretty forced inverted T-bud took.
The last variety that’s being a bit slow but I think I’m starting to see bud swell on is ‘Pink Parfait’, so fingers crossed on that and we’ll see how it turns out.
In terms of varieties, here’s the ones I successfully field grafted:
• Acme
• Autumn Arctic
• Barkan
• Beforest
• Bravo de Esmolfe
• Cigany Alma
• Cornish Pine
• Ellison’s Orange
• Sweetings
5 Likes
Whip and tongue graft… thought I’d try through a bud … what are the odds of creating a graft chimera? Just an experiment …
5 Likes
I set 2 apple grafts today. Why did I wait? I received the rootstocks still dormant. It was nearly 2 weeks for them to open buds and begin active growth. I should be able to do 23 more grafts tomorrow. I’ve got the grafting process down to about 3 minutes per including making a metal label.
5 Likes
I have no time … out of root stock … and a stack of scions. Grrrr. I’m starting to eyeball neighbors trees lol! Actaully I’ll probably grab some lower braches on a couple applw trees just to grow out the varieties until i can get more rootstock.
4 Likes
Okay - I give … I have dozens of succesful stone fruit grafts and apples galore. I have not had a single solitary success with cherries. What’s the trick?
2 Likes
Wait until its warmer? Is this bench grafting, or to existing trees? What’s your weather like?
1 Like
2 Likes
Most of what I’ve done is to existing trees. Both small rootstock in ground and top working. I have a couple that I’ve bench grafted this year. Protected in my greenhouse. Fingers crossed they’ll continue to swell.
1 Like
Weather is zone 6/7 but with frequent early hot days in jan feb and 20º days in mar apr.
1 Like