North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Richard Moyer <ramoyer@gmail.com>]

Lucky and others,

I took your advice, rubbed all the buds off religiously, and my kaki whip grafts took off after sitting there for several weeks. 

Then had to stake them as Jerry (and you) suggested, due to several feet of growth and side branches.

Why questions:

Why, with the greater damage of blowouts, do you prefer bark grafts over whip grafting?  On seedling rootstock, the proper diameter for the scion is there, if not, I do cleft grafts, which also are stronger than bark grafts.  In my lack of experience here, please help me understand the attraction of bark grafts for persimmon.

 

Why, compared to apples, pears, pawpaws, mayhaw, cherry, etc, is persimmon so particular about removing ALL competing buds on the rootstock?  What are the hormonal/physiological reasons that are at play here, that are absent in so many other woody plants?

 

Thanks,

Richard

East Tenn, where we enjoyed kakis for dessert tonight.