Approach Grafting a JBP Shohin.

[Scott Roxburgh]

So this is my first approach graft on a JBP, Im looking to make a nice squat Shohin we'll see how it turns out...

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Growth so far this Spring

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This is where I decided to graft a new leader

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Needles pulled

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Cut made firstly with a saw, then cleaned up with a grafting knife.
I attempted to do a trapezoidal cut - /__\ this 'locks' the donor branch into the trunk, so when it grows and expands there is no way it'll come out.

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Very snug fit, I didn't need and padding, so I was pretty happy with the join.

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I tied the donor in with ribbon, but use something stronger, as it kept snapping and I had to use a cable tie to get it tight.

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Front

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I covered the soil surface with Sphagnum moss to keep the humidity high around the graft, not sure that it'll help but can't hurt.

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If anyone has any tips on better technique I'd love to hear it for next time. Also, what does everyone think about where I chose to graft? Do you think I picked the best spot? I chose this spot as it had the widest nebari.

Scott.

[anttal63]

Hi Scott good onya for having a crack ! My only question is why graft horizontal. Is this to do with your design ???

[Scott Roxburgh]

...Because I didn't want to take the donor branch any lower on the entry side, and risk a breakage. Plus I like the leaning forward look of the little Japanese trees.

I just need it to take, then one of those buds will be the new trunk line. I can wire that where ever I need it later.

[Jow]

Looks good to me! Such an easy technique that returns such good results.

You will have to be really careful once the graft does take and you begin to reduce the top. It will take a bit of work to slowly cut it down without getting dieback on the other side of the trunk to the graft.

Joe.

[alpineart]

Hi Scott , nicely done . The biggest problem i have come across with side/inarch grafting JBP is unless the graft is grooved deep into the hardwood and the side cambium layers lined up , is they tend to swell and thicken at the union . I have several horizontal and vertical grafts that weren't grooved in deep and they are very unsightly . The pines in question are in the topic "JBP 4 for $40" .

I have had several non recessed grafts basically fall off strong winds/carelessness 2 years after separation . I have resorted to using screws to hold some but they too have severely swollen beyond my expectation basically rendering them useless as side branches but possibly good for apexes ?? if i was inclined to layer them off which is probably the only way to us them .

I'm seriously considering thread grafting pines again as Taffy and myself discussed a couple of methods on another forum many years ago . I have a couple of very good doner's and a couple of problematic trunks to play with .

Good luck . Cheers Alpine

[Scott Roxburgh]

Thanks for the tip Joe, I didn't think of that but I have a couple of whips to graft in as new roots on the front and back next year so if i get them growing prior that may give me a bit of a buffer for the big chop?

Yeah alpine most people that I asked for advice on this said "make sue you cut deep enough" hopefully that is the case here. If not, well you live and learn. I contemplated thread graft bit the donor has about 4 buds so the hole would have been too big. I think I could have done threading about month ago prior to swelling, I do want the try it though.

[kcpoole]

nice weork scott and hope you did them deep enough.
I did a few on 1 of mine a few months ago but donot knwo if they are deep enough I did not know about thst when I did them?
Ok well I will fing out one day.

How long till theya re ready to separate?

[trunkchopped (Craig)]

Great work there Scott, look forward to seeing it all progress.

a random question if i can ?

Do you think it would be possible to graft JBP onto radiata pine? Would that be a good or bad idea? cheers

[trunkchopped (Craig)]

Too hard of a question i guess !!

[thoglette]

Too hard of a question i guess !!

They are both pinus-pinus so it should be possible. But until someone tries (or does and understands a DNA analysis) it's an open question