Hey all,
Is there a particular type of graft that works better with certain types of fruits… (like cleft grafts work great on apples…or whip and tongue only works well on apricots) or is it like a scion to rootstock size thing? Ie; bigger rootstock, smaller scion = use a certain type of graft.
There are so many grafting choices that I’m having a hard time deciding on what technique I might try this spring.
Thanks all!
Sean
What fruit do you plan to graft? Will you graft on existing trees? Photos?
@hambone Well i ordered some rootstocks and scions from burnt ridge…not sure on the size yet. Everything ive read…they come pretty small 
Are their rootstock and scion wood compatible in size?
@FarmGirl-Z6A I dont know but all being from the same vendor/nursery I am hoping so. Maybe someone will chime in about BRN’s rootstock and scions. If they are crazy different then I will be grafting them onto my other trees or shipping them to someone who can LOL. I probably just wasted a bunch of money but OH WELL!
I bet the sizes will be just fine. Here’s a video: Bench Grafting Apple Trees with Whip & Tongue and Bark Grafts - YouTube
What you are doing is called bench-grafting. So you can search for other “benchgraft” videos. I use whip and tongue graft for small diameter scion on small diameter rootstock.
Then from 1/2 inch to 1 inch diameter stock I use cleft graft.
Then from 1 to say 3 inch diameter stock I use bark graft.
With those three grafts you can conquer the world.
CAUTION: before cutting the “tongue” on whip and tongue, I ALWAYS put a leather glove on my non-knife hand. Always! Don’t learn this the hard way. In the video the guy has done 1,000’s and can do it in his sleep.
You’ll want a super-sharp knife- a box cutter aka utility knife works fine and can replace blade easily. If you want to upgrade- and are right handed- I like this one that’s sharpened on just one side so cuts straight and flat: https://www.amleo.com/victorinox-folding-florist-and-grafting-knife/p/2475E/
I studied all the videos etc, then on one of the first grafts I ever did I cut my thumb and had to go get stitches. Now I use these cut resistant gloves ($8.00) and a CD shield on whip grafts. Better safe than sorry, most of us just do a few grafts per year (they are easy) but will never become really good at it. With the CD you stick the root stock through the hole and grasp it beneath the CD. That way if there is a knife slip you have some protection.https://www.amazon.com/Glove-Station-Ultra-Durable-Resistant/dp/B07FP3FQY3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=cut+proof+gloves&qid=1608583050&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A1OUY3K5Y9EPU2&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFTWDdCMlQ2OEhGTTYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NzU5MjQxTDNPNVlOUlMyN1NEJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4NzU0MTgyQ05GNFA0RUFJMDI3JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
safety gloves. I haven’t used them and I know I should. Maybe time for Christmas present to myself.
Wondering what gloves folks have been happy with. I have looked on amazon before and all seem to have bad reviews talking about the glove doesn’t protect.
Also Masbustelo mentioned a CD shield. what is that?
Gloves not needed. Hold the knife where if it slipped it wouldn’t cut your finger.
Hard for some people. I’ve shown many people how to graft and when I hand them
the knife they apparently weren’t looking. I stop them and say “I can’t stand the sight of blood!” “Let me show you again how to hold the knife.” I also show them the 1 inch scar on my thumb where I cut myself when I was 10 years old.
Grafting is not worth cutting yourself over!
The goddess Pomona demands a blood sacrifice.
There are a lot of threads about grafting, but this is where I ended up.
Found a great writeup about grafting here. I found it as I was thinking about next winter / spring. First year plum growth is so tiny I was looking into how to handle it for grafting. Alternately I may be grafting to the beginning of some laterals that will certainly be thicker than the scionwood.
He also talks about grafting using several year old scion as it is possible, just perhaps less successful.
