We started out with apples with this tree. My husband, being British, wanted a Bramley’s and then we had to get pollinator(s). So this is the “wished for” apple and the others are to be shipped in November. I’m sure they will be whips so I don’t really have anything to graft to. So my choices are take a chance with this tree or order another. It’s been a slow starter the whole time… I realize ugly grafts can be okay but the fact it didn’t bud out until June, the roots had grown very little in late July, very little graft growth, and a blinky graft site makes me think it might not be a productive tree. Just wondered if I was just being impatient or if there is enough problem here to warrant a new purchase.
Just a few more opinions about what I think is going on with this graft.
A1 Looks like there is no corresponding cut on the stock to match the scion flap.
A3 The flap is callusing and extending outward but can’t attach due to no cut on the stock or loose wrap.
A2 The scion and stock cuts are near each other but not perfect (typical) and appears to be healing. together
A4 and A5 These are the tape lines indicating a good overlap from top to bottom.
A6 Just more callusing.
The upper section is healing and it is supporting the callusing on the bottom flap but makes it look rough. The graft union in my opinion will remain rough looking for a few years but look better as time passes. I would support the graft and tree a few years so it can have time to properly grow together. I am assuming that no incompatibility exist. There is no way to be absolutely sure of the outcome for this tree but if you plant the tree in a good location my guess is it will do well.
Thanks Bill, for your opinion. It is experiences like these that make you want to really complain to the selling nursery and yet maybe others have a good experience with them. And perhaps I”m too much of a newbie to realize this is not an abnormal outcome. I think I could feel better about it if I’d known what to expect. At least now the little tree looks healthy and has shown some growth. Hopefully it will just keep getting stronger. I had planned to plant it out when I receive my other trees in November. Would it be better to plant now or wait until it is dormant? We are finally getting some break from the heat but it is still basically drought conditions here.
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Although a lot of people don’t plant this time of the year it is the time I prefer especially if it is a potted plant. I believe that a few extra roots are established between now and dormancy. If you plant now it probably will require watering until dormant. Either way will work well in my area but in my location planting now will help it get a better start next season.
I don’t think this is an “abnormal” outcome. Sub-optimal, certainly. But occasionally, grafts might only take on one side or do just fail to take. I defer to others as to whether the graft will be good in the future.
I think one thing that was bad is that it was shipped too you (imho) too late for Texas.
I got a white oak seedling last year (which are hardier than your typical apple) in the middle of May and I had to baby that thing ALL summer. Seriously, I built it a little tent to protect it from everything but morning light, had to water it all the time, etc. Over the fall and winter it had time to establish and this summer it looked a lot better and didn’t require any special care but it still didn’t grow as much as I thought it should have.
I got some rabbit eye blueberries last summer and same thing. They needed to be babied and hardly grew. This summer, they took off.
If you live in the South, I wouldn’t order anything from companies that won’t deliver in Feb/March (or fall, of course.)
@Auburn I wondered about that because as you say our weather is more conducive to early fall planting. We had a very mild summer but our September was very hot and no rain. I think it has now gotten to the point that it could be planted. It’s another good six weeks before the other trees will arrive so I’ll probably do that.
You are so right on that. I was pushing the limit when I ordered this in April and then it came in May as a fresh bench graft wrapped in masking tape. (I was just told when I ordered it that it was in stock and would be shipped when they received our check.) Then it took it ~4 weeks to break dormancy and I’ve babied it all summer in a pot in the shade and then more and more sun, etc. Thanks for your input!
@Auburn I have another question regarding rootstocks in the south. I know nothing about rootstocks other than opinions voiced here. Would MM111 rootstock be the best for here? And what do you know about G935. Would one rootstock over another give more precociousness? I know that G935 is semi dwarf but how does it affect bearing?
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My knowledge about apple rootstock is limited. I have only used M111 and Bud9. To add confusion my M111 have a Bud9 interstem for dwarfing. Both rootstocks have done well for me but I have only had them for 3-4 years. The M111 root is a near standard size tree that has withstood the test of time escaping many disease problems. I do have one dwarf apple on Bud9 that is only about seven feet high and it fruits every year. I think many other forum members could better advise on this topic than I can. I like what I have but I think most people would want a simpler approach. I almost forgot that I have one tree on M7 but I don’t know much about it. Sorry I can’t help more. Bill
I did find an article online that said the G935 would make the tree more precocious and if it was a vigorous scion then it would be close to a MM111 size. There is just so much to know here…too much for my brain size. 
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Follow up on this story: I planted this little tree out last fall. I didn’t think it would ever break dormancy being the last apple tree to get a leaf. It was almost pulled up but would scratch green so I left it. When I planted it I put the graft site (the funky graft site) right at the ground. It was about a foot tall in total height. After it broke bud it has basically exploded in growth. It’s beginning to look like a tree!
Katy
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tree looks very healthy…the base reminds me of a birds leg…I would think if you keep it staked and don’t allow it to get too big you should be be fine…
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Next follow up…
It’s growing fantastically well! At one time I started to pull it up for dead!!!
Katy
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