Hello! This year i recently grafted 15 peach trees using scion wood from the 3 peach trees that were here when we bought our home. Unknown varieties of the best peaches I’ve ever had.
I have 5 grafted trees of each variety, some in krymsk1 some in Lovell root stock. About a week out and they are in a nursery bed on my back porch.
Some flower buds are breaking pink. Others seem to be pushing out leaves. I’m hoping that’s a good sign.
Hi Lisa,
I see you did not use parafilm to seal the scions and buds from desiccation, so I assume that you are misting them while they are callousing. Some people also cover the whole scion and graft union with a clear plastic bag, is that what you did? You might elaborate on your process so members can better advise, for now I usually do not expose them to direct sunlight until the buds have grown several leaves and it’s clear that the scion is taking. So protect them from desiccation for a minimum of 3 weeks until we better understand your process.
Good luck
Dennis
Kent, wa
Thank for your reply, Dennis. I am a total newby at this, so I’m sure I did things wrong!
I used a glorified pruning hole punch to create the u-shaped graft.
I slotted the exposed cambium of the scion with the exposed cambium of the root stock. Then i tightly wrapped grafting tape around the graft including below and above it. I covered the top of the scion as well.
Then I planted them in a planting box right outside my kitchen door under a porch overhang.
I didnt realize i needed to wrap the whole little tree! I can definitely make a little greenhouse with plastic if that’s recommended. Or I can mist daily.
For me peaches are the most difficult to successfully graft. As DennisD said keep them protected for a few weeks or longer until you are sure the graft was a success. Remove any flowers that form.
Lisa,
Where do you keep those grafted trees. In my experience peach grafting needs quite warm weather to callous well.
I don’t graft peach until temperature is in high 60’s or low 70 for at least 3 days in a row. To me, getting peach grafts to take can be challenging in cool weather. Not as easy as grafting apples, pears or plums.
They are right outside the kitchen door under a porch overhang. I’ll let you know how they do. This is my first solo attempt - i did a workshop 2 years ago where we grafted with a teacher, but I only did 3 and they didn’t take.
I wish I had found this forum before i did the grafting!
In my experience this temp we are having is too cold for peach to callous well. Consistent high temp is when I have had good success with peach and nectarine grafting (they are cousins).
