When to first prune bench grafted apple?

General Fruit Growing
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This is my bench grafted Korichnoe Polocatoe on G41. Grafted on April 7 of 2017 and planted in the pot. It is about 30’’ tall now. I am going to plant it in the ground in fall. When is the proper time to first prune it - now or next spring before it breaks dormancy?

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I don’t have an answer for you, but someone with knowledge will weigh in soon, I’m sure.

I just wanted to say that I wish I wouldn’t have waited till May and June to do my bench grafts. The tallest one is about 15 inches tall right now.

Your tree looks great!

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I think you’ll get better branch angles by waiting until spring. You can tip it now above where you want branches if it’s getting too tall. Then next spring cut it back lower to get the branches where you want. You might get good angles this summer if you cut off a pretty good section. When tipped, at least on stone fruit, the branches that push just below the tip have narrow angles.

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Thank you, I didn’t know about angles. I want branches at 24’’, though tree looks very tall to me it is really just 30’’, so I guess not to much to cut as of now. I will better make higher cover and let it grow more…

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It is a nice looking 1st year graft. I would leave it be until late winter, unless it suddenly takes on a different appearance. Count 3-4 buds up from the 24" mark and then head it there when you prune next year.

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Thanks you!

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