Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

nafex - [NAFEX] Using Parafilm for grafting & scion storage.

nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Jwlehman@aol.com
  • To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Using Parafilm for grafting & scion storage.
  • Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 08:48:06 EST

In a message dated 3/16/2004 6:08:06 AM US Eastern Standard Time, disk@iserv.net writes:


I bought 2 rolls of this tape from an orchard supply store.THEY said I probably wouldn't need additional wrapping material. I am doing a "V" saddle graft. I plan to dip in a hot canning wax solution. Has this method worked for others?           skip s.   zone 5



Hello Ship,

The "V" graft made by machine is one of my favorites. Unless of course the understock is too large. As I stated in a previous message, with soft wood material such as apple & persimmon even if the scion is smaller than the understock they can still take. Just make sure the cambium is lined up on one side. Timing is important, don't graft before the wood is in the slip which occurs after active growth begins. This isn't true for hard woods, the nuts, but this NAFEX, not NNGA. Cover the entire graft with parafilm, the buds push right through it. Still a good idea to wrap with a grafting rubber, which places more holding pressure on the graft. I do this before the parafilm wrap.

If the graft is exposed all day to the sun also give it a lose wrap of Aluminum foil to keep it cool. Wood grows best at 80 degrees and stops at about 90 and higher.  The foil should be removed in about two weeks. I leave the top of the wrap and north side open to give the newly emerging bud indirect sunlight and removal isn't critical. 

I presume you are asking about dipping the scion in wax for storage. Not necessary at all. Store your scion wood in freezer food storage bags, don't use sandwich bags as they generally are thinner material and slowly lose moisture. I like to wrap the scions with a moistened paper towel before storing. Wet the towel and squeeze out all the water you can. Too much moisture can cause the buds to decay. I've stored hundreds of pieces of scion wood doing this very successfully for many years. 

Jerry Lehman, Indiana,  zone 5

PS. I agree with Lucky's response and he is grafting hard wood (nuts), much more difficult.  I've heard nut grafters say, and I agree, that compared to nut grafting, apples are so easy all you have to do is throw the scions at the tree and they stick. If you are a first time grafter don't try nuts, you will get discouraged and quit trying.



Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page