As usual, at this time of year when my orchard chores become a little less intense, the mind starts wandering; and not always in the sanest direction.
There are several thoughts that are playing bumper cars in my brain.
I am trying to figure out if there is a way to graft that would speed up branching structures and of fruiting on the graft. Kind of arrogant to try to speed up Mother Nature, but… if she is able, I am willing to entice.
My thoughts go something like this:
So… here goes…
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The usual advise is that the scion wood have 2-4 buds max.
I have 3-4 foot shoots that look perfect to just graft as a whole. WHY NOT? . More buds, After a heading cut, more branches etc. -
The general advice is to graft in the spring when there is active growth. Is there any reason not to graft in the FALL? The tree is not asleep things are still going on. Maybe the healing will just take longer. But at this time of year… time is what we have and hot temperature extremes are on the wane.
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Is there a reason not to graft thicker older wood. Let’s say second or third year wood. There is still the same live cambium layer to fuse. With larger wood we might have to strengthen the graft by putting in a wood screw through the older dead heartwood until enough growth happens to strengthen the graft. We put screws into broken human bones when they break to support them why not here?
After the chuckles… any thoughts
Mike