North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Mauch1@aol.com]

In my quest to finally learn how to do bud grafting,
yesterday and this morning I did 19 grafts.
13 Peach (chip budding)
3 Pawpaw (chip budding)
3 apple (2 t-bud and 1 chip bud)

All the chip buds were done with grafting rubbers and then the
graft was wrapped with parafilm and black electrician's tape 
to hold the parafilm.  Only 1 of t-bud's was wrapped w/ 
parafilm (I have been told that covering a t-bud was not
necessary, but it is for chip budding).

I would like to remove the parafilm as soon as the graft has 
either taken or failed.  How long should I wait?  Should I 
also remove the grafting rubber and when?  IMO, grafting 
rubbers don't breakdown fast enough, especially if they've 
been protected by a parafilm covering.  Any other advice?

I have also been told that if the leaf axil "dehisces" (i.e. 
falls off easily/naturally) the graft has "taken". If it is 
firmly attached, the graft failed.  Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Chris Mauchline
SE PA, zone 6