@dannytoro1 … I asked that last year and was told Flowering group 3.
TNHunter
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Here is an Update on my first apple grafting experiment!
My first tree - the one that produces yellow apples - flowered nicely this spring -we avoided a late frost, and I ordered a few mason bees, for pollinators. so I have hopes for a crop from that tree this year.
The second tree - the one that never flowered before - the one I stupidly thought was a male, or infertile - put forth one small flower this year - just ONE - this is the First flower on that tree since I moved here in 2019. So maybe it was just too young to flower before now? see pictures of both trees, to see the difference in amount of flowers on the two trees.
Last month the scions I ordered last fall were delivered, and I experimented with grafting on the tree with only one flower. I tried to use the “whip and tongue” technic - using 7 different scions, each cut in half - for a total of 14 attempted grafts. A month later most of the grafts appear to be drying out, and dead. But there are a couple I still am hoping may take?
I took the labels off and so now I am not sure which scions are which, that was poor planning on my part.
Anyway. Here are my questions:
Should the grafted scions be budding out by now? how long should that take?
When should I remove the tape?
Is there anything else I could do to improve the odds these scions will take? I’ve been watering, and spraying the tree with water once in a while as its has been a dry spring.
If any of these take, I will update with more pictures.
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I graft with 2, 3 buds maximum. Less wood to dry out. And wrapped in plastic or para-film . Helps immensely.
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FWIW my first attempt at grafting was 2024, I did quite a few in 2025 and have done dozens this year, but still a novice/beginner.
As @dannytoro1 said, 2-3 buds and parafilm, you have to prevent desiccation. I also think it is important to get solid contact between scion and rootstock. I use rubber bands, 1/8” x 7”, cut to a single strand and put a good stretch on it while wrapping, a solid layer once, then I go over again on the way back before tying off. Rubber bands degrade fairly quick but not before the graft has taken.
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