AusBonsai

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone has used suckers to perform root grafts? and is it advisable to do so?

I have an LA that throws them incessantly and is in need of either ground layering or root grafts. I figure the suckers are there so I could give it a go if its worthwhile.

Anyway, appreciate your thoughts on this guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

Not sure what you mean exactly. You could use them if you remove them with roots from the parent. (but not now obviously) Otherwise I can't see how else.

I'm assuming this is what you mean? I've also thought of doing this, haven't tried it though.

evan wrote:

Sucker Ground Layer.jpg

I'm assuming this is what you mean? I've also thought of doing this, haven't tried it though.

Though that's not what I mean, I think its possible that that might work. These suckers spring up from roots that are slightly away from the base of the trunk, so I was thinking of using them as you would an approach root graft. Does that make sense?

Cheers,

Ces.

Like this...

That's definitely possible to do, but, the challenge will be to make the grafts appear natural. This article gives a pretty good example of how to do it:

http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATAppr ... gRoots.htm

What you have shown in that diagram will certainly work Ces but aren't you just grafting a root where there is already a root underneath?
Maybe if you needed a root a bit higher on the trunk that would be useful but otherwise appears to be redundant.
More useful is Treeman's earlier suggestion - cut off the sucker with a few roots attached and then replant it next to the area where you need roots and graft into the trunk. Gives better flexibility to put roots where needed rather than where they are already growing I think.
Suckers are ideal to graft new roots because they are the same as all the other roots on that plant.
In my experience you need very few roots for a sucker to survive when cut off the parent plant. I have often removed them to use as rootstock and even with a single small root I can start a new plant because mostly they grow new roots very easily.

shibui wrote:What you have shown in that diagram will certainly work Ces but aren't you just grafting a root where there is already a root underneath?
Maybe if you needed a root a bit higher on the trunk that would be useful but otherwise appears to be redundant.
More useful is Treeman's earlier suggestion - cut off the sucker with a few roots attached and then replant it next to the area where you need roots and graft into the trunk. Gives better flexibility to put roots where needed rather than where they are already growing I think.
Suckers are ideal to graft new roots because they are the same as all the other roots on that plant.
In my experience you need very few roots for a sucker to survive when cut off the parent plant. I have often removed them to use as rootstock and even with a single small root I can start a new plant because mostly they grow new roots very easily.

thanls mate, i think i'll give it a go.

Unfortunately my diagram is a poor representation of what is occurring with this tree. if that was the case, then I would just raise the tree in the pot to reveal more roots.

thanks for the advice guys.

Ces