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[Scott Smith <scott@cs.jhu.edu>]

Steve, I also lost a few persimmon grafts this spring that behaved similarly. 
 Here is my theory of what happened.  We had a heat wave not long after I did 
the grafts and it was so hot that I think the scions prematurely sprouted 
even though the graft had not calloused yet.  So, they grew for a bit but 
after about half an inch or an inch of growth there was no more energy in the 
scion and no connection to the main root, so they withered.

Of the persimmon grafts I did right before the heat wave all of them sprouted 
too quickly and then died, except one which did not sprout at all but is just 
now sprouting well so it looks like a take, and one which never quite died 
and I am hoping will start re-growing soon.  I don't know for sure why the 
one decided not to sprout in the heat, but it was lower on the tree and in 
more shade.  What I plan to do next time there is a heat wave is to put up a 
shade cloth barrier so no direct sun strikes the new grafts.  If you put up a 
sun barrier make sure to not make it a mini-greenhouse which will get too hot 
inside.

Scott

On Jun 8, 2011, at 11:50 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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