well I’ve got a little pile of scion thanks to friends, so I will graft this year. I’m itching to get out there and start but we have a freezing night and nothing is budded out so I’m waiting impatiently instead.
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@Heath @Melon … I bought 4 russian mulberry rootstocks from Burnt Ridge last week. They reduced the price to 5.00 each.
I called and talked to them specifically asking for at least 1/4 inch diameter rootstocks.
I bought some from them last year and below is what they looked like.
TNHunter
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Pretty sure my graft for dmor9 is definitely dead but but 2 cuttings are alive and well for now
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Are there any places with g.890 rootstock still available? I haven’t had much luck looking. I swear when I checked Cummins the other day they had a couple hundred in stock.
I always watch videos of other people grafting and they always shave off the entire surface the length of the union edge in like one swipe, and for me it always is in two or three swipes to make my mostly (slight peaks where each shaved area meets) flat edge. Anyone else like me, where they never can just cut it perfect? I have high success rates (well over 90%), just is there any special way to make the perfect cuts?
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I do get better cuts when my knife is really really sharp
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I cut at the angle with my pruners first lol. Then I come back again with the knife to get a cleaner cut.
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I still struggle with this too. I dont think it’s the flattness of your cuts, but rather the angle of the tongue cut.
Demonstrated in carrots, because its easier than getting my grafting equipment out, and because I was hungry.
Making the tongue cut straight down (parallel to the scion) causes poor fitment once the two pieces are put together. However, slicing the tongue cut closer to parallel to the whip cut makes for way better fitment.
The reason I struggle with this is that the knife wants to follow the grain. Instead, you need to slice across some fibers, which takes more force and a very sharp knife.
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I never thought of doing it that way thanks!
I struggle with these cuts as well. I am gonna guess it is probably partially due to being new at grafting as well.
I whittled plenty of sticks as a kid though…
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These are my first whip and tongue attempts. They were no where near perfect. This is what the callous looks like after 2 weeks. I checked on them because the scions started to look dry and black. I guess they are still alive (the buds show no signs of growing/green). I wrapped them back up after these pictures. I do have more Scion wood to regraft if these don’t show any signs of life in the next few weeks
Red Delicious and Arkansas Black on M111
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Have you watched skillcult’s video on knife skills and whip and tongue graft?
Apples are very forgiving.
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I’ve been doing mostly clefts but tried a couple of persimmon W/T grafts today, we’ll see in a month or so if they take. Though the cuts aren’t totally flat I think the tight rubber temflex and parafilm wrapping should press them together pretty well.
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I haven’t grafted apples but this looks good to me. Callous is always a good sign.
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I had watched all those videos back half a dozen years ago, but now watching again, there is definite things I needed refreshed on, I will try doing some different ways than I have been doing it here later today.
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I’d grab 10 or more feet of water sprouts and practice a bunch. It takes some practice.
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I’m waffling right now. I have rootstock arriving on Thursday, I took Monday off work to plant the trees. From Thursday until next Friday we have temperatures predicted to be at mid 60s during the day and lowest (night) will be 45 but not more than 55. And rain basically every day. Is this good weather to graft and plant or should I just plant out the rootstock and graft in April?
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Have you had luck with persimmon this early? I thought you had to wait for leaves on them. I’ve got some I need to graft and am also in VA
I need to whittle a little myself. Looking at that W&T (sounds like a mixed drink, doesn’t it?) I’d say that you’re doing fine. And 90% is a thoroughly decent rate.
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