Grafting questions....

[Reece]

1) Is it ok to hold a single point graft on with wire (on a conifer)? Or are you better off using grafting tape?

2) If you graft a new branch to a primary branch closer to the trunk (on a conifer) will the tree start back budding around the graft or will the tree know it's a graft and carry on as normal?

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks.

Reece.

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[Reece]

You don't want water in the graft so question one is probably NO unless you seal it with something?

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[kez]

G'day Reece,

This is my understanding but as yet I haven't attempted it, got a lot of grafting to do come spring though,

I would think that using wire would allow the graft union, and the scion to dry out, it will also be exposed to all and sundry that wish to do harm. I went through some of this stuff with Ryan Neil last summer and he wraps the union and all the way up the scion in grafting/peraform tape and seals the end, this allows light to enter but acts as a greenhouse providing good conditions for the graft to take.

The tree and branch will continue to grow from the existing branch tips as normal while the graft is taking. You will need to gradually reduce the rest of the branch in an effort to maintain equal vigour through both the graft as it takes, and the rest of the branch. You don't want to overly advantage the existing tips as this will stop the tree from allocating resources to the graft, but you want to keep the branch healthy as well so that the graft takes well and eventually becomes part of the tree.

I hope this makes sense, if anybody has anything to add or change please do

Kerrin

[shibui]

As Kez has pointed out - grafts are best sealed to stop the new healing tissues from drying out. You can use grafting wax, tape, parafilm and probably lots of other things. Many years ago they sealed graft unions with clay but that has the potential to introduce disease so not recommended now, just mentioned to show the diverse range of possibilities.

will the tree start back budding around the graft

There will not usually be back budding on the branch. The branch will grow as normal and, with luck, the graft will also grow as normal.

or will the tree know it's a graft and carry on as normal?

Not sure what this means but maybe this will help? - The branch should be growing strongly so the graft heals as quickly as possible but don't allow it to grow too long or the tree may send all energy to the growing tip at the expense of the graft. (same happens to inner shoots on strongly growing branches)When you think the graft seems to be healthy reduce the ends of the branch and all growth above the graft so that the tree will send more energy to the graft.

[Reece]

Ok thanks guys. Makes sense now.

Yeah that was a silly question shibui. I don't actually even know what I meant haha.....

What about wire and then steriprune? Or do I just need to let the wire idea go and get some tape/wax!

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[shibui]

Grafting tape is easy to use and very cheap. 40 m roll for around $5.
Steriprune will be a bit too liquid. I think it would run into the cut and stop the 2 pieces from joining together.

[treeman]

Use tape not wire. There is no need to seal the cut if you place a little sphag moss over it and cover the whole with a plasic bag so no water gets in or out.

[Reece]

Grafting tape is easy to use and very cheap. 40 m roll for around $5.
Steriprune will be a bit too liquid. I think it would run into the cut and stop the 2 pieces from joining together.

Use tape not wire. There is no need to seal the cut if you place a little sphag moss over it and cover the whole with a plasic bag so no water gets in or out.