North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[sherwin <sherwindu@att.net>]

Steven,

Hard to tell exactly how you are doing these bud grafts, but it almost 
seems like you are wrapping the
entire graft with parafilm.  I would wrap the parafilm around the bud 
stem leaving room for the growing
bud to grow out.  Seems like yours had to poke their way out, which 
could have affected their success.

Also, if you suspect the buds dried out, you can make a tent out of a 
plastic bag with a piece of damp
toweling and keep it on from grafting time to whenever the bud looks 
like it is succeeding.  The parafilm
wrapped tightly around the bud stem should keep it from drying out.  I 
would not put these grafts in
the sun until the bud is showing some green leaves.  Even then, I would 
moderate the amount of sun
they get.

You did not mention which rootstock and scion combinations you tried.  I 
find that some scions and
are more vigorous than others, and there could be rootstock 
incompatibilities.

                         Sherwin Dubren

On 6/8/2011 10:50 PM, Steven Covacci wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
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