AusBonsai

I was wonder what tree I could use to graft a Malus halliana onto. Do I have to use the same tree or could I use a Olive or White cypress pine. Any suggestion or help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a client who has a magnifcent Malus halliana in her backyard, I want to bonsai one. Maybe I should start with something else?

Brownthumb wrote:I was wonder what tree I could use to graft a Malus halliana onto. Do I have to use the same tree or could I use a Olive or White cypress pine. Any suggestion or help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a client who has a magnifcent Malus halliana in her backyard, I want to bonsai one. Maybe I should start with something else?

You have to use the same family, try an airlayer it would be better.

Hi Brownthumb,

Malus halliana is actually used as graft stock for apples.

Best to stay with other Malus varieties I should think, as I am doubtfull that the olive and cypruss would
allow the graft to take.

Why not try air layering a section instead ?

This may just give you the shape and head start on a great tree, rather than wait for the small grafts to take ?

After all, this species is used as graft stock, so i would think it would layer fairly readily.

Do a search on air layering in the search area of the index window if your not certain on the proceedure.

Regards,


Paul

Thanks for that Paul and Pup. I will ask the owner if I can setup a airlayering on her tree. I have searched the article on airlayering and will give it a go.

Hi Brownthumb,

good luck with it, if you have free reign of the tree, why not take the time to really look for the ideal branch ?

Especially while you can see all of the trees branches ?

Having beeen to Temora many times, I can only presume autumn is well and trully over and the tree is bare ?


By the way, just something to whet your appitite !

Regards,



Paul.

Hi Paul,

Winter is here with a vengence, was 11 today and will by 8 tomorrow, with possible snow at West Wyalong. Yes tree is bare, I think the owner will let me use whatever I want of the tree.
Thanks for the great picture of a magnifcent bonsai, now I am really keen to get my Malus.

Thanks David

Hi David, apples strike quite easily from root cuttings is it is on its own roots this could be an option.
Craigw

Air layers and root cuttings are both good options. You could also try stem cuttings as many apples root reasonably well.

If you still want to try grafting use any apple variety as stock. You can dig wild seedlings from the roadside or backyard or take rooted suckers from another apple or crabapple - they only need a tiny amount of root to grow successfully. Some growers sow apple seed each winter to grow seedlings for grafting the following year. Granny Smith seedlings are often used by commercial growers for crabapple stocks as they are strong growers. If you graft mature fruiting wood onto your stock in winter it will flower a month or so later in the spring! If you want to grow a larger tree its best to use strong vegetative wood for the scion so it will grow strongly rather than waste energy on flowers.

craigw60 wrote:Hi David, apples strike quite easily from root cuttings is it is on its own roots this could be an option.
Craigw

Hi Craig,

I think it is as it is a very old Crab apple. I am going to take a picture of it this spring when in flower as it looks magnifcent

Hi all,

thanks for your advise. I might give them all a try as I like to learn new ways. Can't hurt having a few trees.

David