North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Steven Covacci <filtertitle@aol.com>]

Dear Group:


I'm new at grafting, and much else: I'm having problems with the results of 
my grafting weeks back..


The majority of the grafted scion-wood has now budded and, as expected, the 
buds break through the parafilm.  


However, this is what's happening.. Within a few days of breaking through, 
the buds blacken and dry and, then, die-off.  This is the case with most of 
the (persimmon) grafts.  However, in the case of two grafts (out of 12), 
unlike the others, the buds broke through the parafilm and then opened up 
fully and are doing great (at this time, at least) - maybe the wood was 
better, maybe the graft union is better, no idea?


I have two theories:


1. The buds are only dying because the graft-union was not sufficiently 
flushed so they are only budding because there is enough fluid and energy in 
the scion-material itself to bud and then die-out, because there is not 
enough connection to the under-stock.  Evidence that it is possible for the 
wood to bud on it's own, without being well-connected to the under-stock is 
that today, I found an 8" piece of persimmon scion-wood that was laying on 
the ground that was completely viable and budding - I tossed that piece to 
the ground 2 weeks ago!


2. That, in most cases, once the buds break through the parafilm, they will 
dehydrate in the heat - regardless of the fact that I made tin-foil hoods for 
them all to prevent the parafilm-wrapped scion-material from boiling in 
direct sunlight.  


If it is theory No.1, then not a problem.  I just need to learn how to do a 
better job of grafting; this will not be easier w/the new grafting tool I 
just got.  If it is theory No.2, I better quickly make homes for the grafts - 
maybe use the produce bags from the supermarket, for when the buds break 
through the parafilm.


What do you think is reason and what should I do?


Also, a second question is: my mulberry grafts (like last year) get mildew on 
them when wrapped in parafilm; what should I do - not cover them with 
parafilm?  If not, then maybe I won't need hoods (made of tinfoil wrap; some 
use brown paper bags)?


If I can't get this right, this will be a waste of a ton of scion-material 
and another year delayed in doing this.  


Thanks,
Steve; NJ 6a/7b