Grafting Workshop Notes
|
On March 27, 2021, LGC members attended a grafting workshop led by Brian Sebade, University of Wyoming Extension. He showed us how to graft scion wood cuttings onto crabapples and apple trees. This was a follow-up to the presentation that Brian gave to the Club at our March meeting. Below are some of the resources that he provided. Thanks to Brian, we will be closely watching our grafts this spring for signs of life! |
|
General Information:
-Brian shared this video about harvesting scion wood and this video about the whip grafting process. (For other grafting methods, see below.) -For basic grafting supplies, we used utility knives with fresh blades, bypass pruners, and strips of plastic cut from zip-style bags (or you can use electrical tape) to wrap the graft. -We used Lysol spray and a rag or Clorox wipes to sanitize the pruners and knife blades in between cuts. |
Tools for grafting.
|
|
We started out by practicing making the right cuts on some willow cuttings that Brian had brought. Then we moved on to some cuttings from an apple tree. Finally, Brian showed us how it was done on a live tree, and members took home scion wood to try grafting on their own trees. |
Grafting practice
|
September Ruby in a great apple year.
|
A Few Notes:
-When you choose a tree from which to harvest scion wood, do not choose a variety that is patented.
-Collect healthy scion wood cuttings in late winter/early spring before bud break. Use only first-year (or second-year) growth. Wrap the cut ends with a damp paper towel (or similar) and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator if needed. Cuttings should be used within a week or so. Don't forget to label your scion wood, especially if you will be collecting more than one type.
-When you make the base cut for the host tree, leave at most one bud on the host stock (and remember to check carefully that the host stock and the graft end of the scion wood have a very similar diameter).
-Wrap the graft union carefully, overlapping the host stock and scion wood sufficiently to protect the graft from drying out.
-Cut off all but four or five buds on the scion wood and dab a little wax (or other protective material) onto the end of the scion to keep it from drying out.
-Label your graft!
-Don't give up on your graft until about June. It should be showing signs of life by then. In August, remove the wrapping from around the successful grafts (and remove any unsuccessful grafts). If you leave the wrapping on for too long, you can kill the area of the graft.
-Successful grafts often take about 5 years before they start producing fruit.
-When you choose a tree from which to harvest scion wood, do not choose a variety that is patented.
-Collect healthy scion wood cuttings in late winter/early spring before bud break. Use only first-year (or second-year) growth. Wrap the cut ends with a damp paper towel (or similar) and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator if needed. Cuttings should be used within a week or so. Don't forget to label your scion wood, especially if you will be collecting more than one type.
-When you make the base cut for the host tree, leave at most one bud on the host stock (and remember to check carefully that the host stock and the graft end of the scion wood have a very similar diameter).
-Wrap the graft union carefully, overlapping the host stock and scion wood sufficiently to protect the graft from drying out.
-Cut off all but four or five buds on the scion wood and dab a little wax (or other protective material) onto the end of the scion to keep it from drying out.
-Label your graft!
-Don't give up on your graft until about June. It should be showing signs of life by then. In August, remove the wrapping from around the successful grafts (and remove any unsuccessful grafts). If you leave the wrapping on for too long, you can kill the area of the graft.
-Successful grafts often take about 5 years before they start producing fruit.
Additional Resources:
-Grafting fruit trees from Orchard People
-Wyoming Apple Project, an article from Barnyards & Backyards (Winter 2014 issue)
-Apple Trees CAN Grow in Wyoming, an article from Barnyards & Backyards (Fall 2017 issue)
-Bud Grafting from the Philadelphia Orchard Project
-Grafting fruit trees from Orchard People
-Wyoming Apple Project, an article from Barnyards & Backyards (Winter 2014 issue)
-Apple Trees CAN Grow in Wyoming, an article from Barnyards & Backyards (Fall 2017 issue)
-Bud Grafting from the Philadelphia Orchard Project