Invisible Grafting (Maybe)!!!

[Ray M]

Hi Everyone,
I have been playing around with this idea in my head for some time now. I wanted to try an experiment that may produce a fairly invisible graft. Being this time of year I chose to use Figs. For those who have anything to do with Little Ruby Figs, will know that they are slower growing than the Port Jackson Fig. The Little Ruby originally came from a Port Jackson Fig and was discovered by Noel Summerell in 1987. Taking these factors into consideration I have decided to graft a Little Ruby into Port Jackson root stock. The following will show how I've gone about this and I will keep the thread updated with whatever results come from this experiment.

IMG_4292.jpg

IMG_4293.jpg

IMG_4293 -4.jpg

IMG_4293 -3.jpg

IMG_4294.jpg

IMG_4295.jpg

IMG_4296.jpg

IMG_4297.jpg

IMG_4298.jpg

IMG_4300.jpg

IMG_4301 -2.jpg

IMG_4301.jpg

I placed the tree in my shade house. After the paste has hardened I will feed it with Seasol, watering over the foliage as well as the soil.

Regards Ray

[Truth]

Hi Ray, very interesting idea! I hope you have success. Won't you still have issues with the bark colours/consistency being different in the V cut?

[Ray M]

Hi Ray, very interesting idea! I hope you have success. Won't you still have issues with the bark colours/consistency being different in the V cut?

Hi Truth,
There is a little difference in the colour. I will bring the foliage of the Little Ruby down and it should cover quite a lot of it's own trunk.

Regards Ray

[evan]

Just thinking of the problem(bulging at graft) of when you graft white pine onto JBP root stock using the same/similar method. In future won't there be a significant difference in girths of the two species because of differing vigors?

[treeman]

Generally broad leaved evergreens are grafted with the stock intact and removed only after the scion has taken well.

[Ray M]

Just thinking of the problem(bulging at graft) of when you graft white pine onto JBP root stock using the same/similar method. In future won't there be a significant difference in girths of the two species because of differing vigors?

Hi Evan,
These are good questions. The quick answer is, I'm not sure. This is one of the benefits of doing experiments, it helps us to find out what real world effects will occur. This is one of the reasons why, in this experiment, I cut a large V into the root stock tree to help the two trees blend. Time will be our teacher and it will be interesting to see what happens over a few years rather then a few months.
I have just put some Seamungus onto the soil and watered it in with Seasol as well as foliage feeding. I will keep the feed up to the tree to try and push it alone.
I will keep an eye on any foliage that may appear on the root stock tree and remove it immediately. I also hope that I will be able to use the foliage on the Little Ruby to cover down the trunk somewhat.
Thanks again for your questions.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Generally broad leaved evergreens are grafted with the stock intact and removed only after the scion has taken well.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the info. It will be interesting to see what happens with this method.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Hi Folks,
An update on how the Fig is taking. I am very pleased with the results thus far. There are new buds popping, even on the bare branches.

IMG_4303_2.jpg

Regards Ray

[anthonyW]

Fantastic work Ray,very skilful,I have grafted conventional way,put a pic up if you like.
Anthony

[Ray M]

Fantastic work Ray,very skilful,I have grafted conventional way,put a pic up if you like.
Anthony

Hi Anthony,
Yes, please do mate. The more information the better.

Regards Ray

[anthonyW]

Hi Ray
Where in the raw stages so far but on our way the Little Ruby cutting is two to three seasons old from memory,the host trunk is PJF seed grown good taper, quite handy I think and just about right height for the cutting,the trunk was trenched to take the cutting near flush fit and the cutting heavily scratched on approach side and bound quite tight,the ruby leaders untouched leaving laterals pinched so energy goes to top/graft.
Now the waiting game,one of many I will try....Thank you for sharing the post Ray...cheers Anthony

phpuFK3irPM.jpg

phpxltId6PM.jpg

[Ray M]

Hi folks,
An update of the figs. I have removed the tape to see what the grafts look like and then did a ground layer on both trees. I've put the photos up for each tree separately because I have had an accident with one of the trees.

TREE 1

_MG_4899-2.jpg

_MG_4901-2.jpg

_MG_4901-3.jpg

_MG_4903-2.jpg

TREE 2

_MG_4900-2.jpg

_MG_4902-2.jpg

_MG_4902-3.jpg

_MG_4903-2.jpg

Regards Ray