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I went out and inspected my orchard today. Recent snow fall. Vole activity noticed with tunnels seen here and there in the yard. Dog caught one about 5 days ago, and it has been her favorite toy since then. She's so proud of herself. Gives her bad breath, though! I stomped the new snow down around the trunks of all the trees to discourage the rodents.
Arielle, have you had success grafting branches onto your apples, and if so, what type of graft union have you used? Do you tape it, wax, tie, or how do you secure it? I would like to try grafting onto my 2 apple trees this spring. Tried a pear last season and was not successful. Further homework said that bud unions should be done with pear. I tried the whip or Z union.
Quote: Jerry, I must have a black thumb!!!! LOL Not one pear graft took last year. I do have several rootstock in grow bags that developed side shoots and seem s all these are still alive. I looked at my old pear trees for more scionwood. Will try again. I think part of the issue was I used wood more than one year old. My pears are about 20 years old and in bad shape. My first attempt at an orchard.
I also think: practice to develop good technique, good hygene, and clean knife might have made a difference. And a sharp knife.
LG-- keep trying!! I made my own wax using parfin and petroleum jelly. in experimental ratios until the right texture was reached. Then wrapped with strips cut from old bread bags. Honestly, I wont repeat that effort. Another technique I viewed online used standard wide rubber bands, cut across the short way, to wrap the graft.
Generally speaking I felt getting a good cut was difficult. I was not surprized that no graft took. Need to order scionwood by tomorrow the 17th from FEDCO, or pass on apples for this year. I looked at their tree list and like how carefully htey list the zones for best tasting apples. List is pared down to about 25 varieties. Obviously I will need to start with just 10 or so.....DH is starting to make noises....rather I just buy a few trees ready to plant. I really should do just that for the apples and keep playing with the pears until I can acheive success on an easy fruit tree.
Jerry, I must have a black thumb!!!! LOL Not one pear graft took last year. I do have several rootstock in grow bags that developed side shoots and seem s all these are still alive. I looked at my old pear trees for more scionwood. Will try again. I think part of the issue was I used wood more than one year old. My pears are about 20 years old and in bad shape. My first attempt at an orchard.
I also think: practice to develop good technique, good hygene, and clean knife might have made a difference. And a sharp knife.
LG-- keep trying!! I made my own wax using parfin and petroleum jelly. in experimental ratios until the right texture was reached. Then wrapped with strips cut from old bread bags. Honestly, I wont repeat that effort. Another technique I viewed online used standard wide rubber bands, cut across the short way, to wrap the graft.
Generally speaking I felt getting a good cut was difficult. I was not surprized that no graft took. Need to order scionwood by tomorrow the 17th from FEDCO, or pass on apples for this year. I looked at their tree list and like how carefully htey list the zones for best tasting apples. List is pared down to about 25 varieties. Obviously I will need to start with just 10 or so.....DH is starting to make noises....rather I just buy a few trees ready to plant. I really should do just that for the apples and keep playing with the pears until I can acheive success on an easy fruit tree.