Grafting Espalier Fruit Trees - Part II

  Santa Rosa Plum

Spring is about ready to bust around here; so it’s time for part II of my grafting adventure.  It seemed like a perfect day.  It rained earlier followed by cool temperatures. All trees are full with buds.   Perfect.  Let’s get started.

 Part I occurred last month when buds were clipped from the trees that will be grafted (nectarine, peach, and apple a bit later).  The “buds” (twigs actually) were placed in Ziploc bags with a bit of moisture and stored in the refrigerator out in the garage.  Nice and cold.  Today, I sterilized a straight razor blade and pruning shears.  Fresh cuts were made to the buds.  The trunk of each tree was then studied to determine the best location for the grafting to enhance the espalier.  The straight razor blade was used to carve a “T” in the bark.  The bark was peeled back and the bud was inserted.  The bark was then closed up over the bud. 

 

Courtesy:  Sonoma County Go Local

Green garden tape was used to secure the graft by wrapping and tying it around the surgery.  The example above shows string being used to close the wound.  I’ve heard of using tar, wax, and even aluminum foil. I just used the stuff I had.  I’m hoping for the best; but if the grafts don’t take I can always try again and alter the method.  My concerns are with almost everything…the cut, the bud, the tape.  Everything.  I’m completely nervous about this new thing I’m learning.

 Granny Smith Apple

Grafts were made on the Fantasia Nectarine (3), the O’Henry Peach (2), and the Granny Smith Apple (1).  The best results will be grafts that thrive.  The worst result will be that I’ve killed my trees.

Grafting Espalier Fruit Trees

Okay.  I’m beginning my adventures in grafting.  Two of my espaliered (Am I even using that Frenchy word correctly?  I know what I mean.) fruit trees are a little sparse with their lateral branches.  My goal this year is to learn how to graft.  I’ve never done it before – ever; so I’m a bit apprehensive hoping that I don’t cause damage at worst or the grafts don’t take at least.  So here I go into my exploration.

My tool was a pair of sharp, disinfected pruning shears.  Making a clean, sterile cut helps the odds of this experiment working.

The O’Henry Peach Tree is in need of two lateral branches.  When the tree was planted as a bare root there weren’t any lower branches and none have sprouted in the two years it has been in the garden.  Two sprouts with buds were clipped and placed in a labeled plastic bag and sealed.

The Fantasia Nectarine is in need of three lateral branches.  One of the middle branches was removed because it died.  I think it may have suffered sunburn…not sure.  The same clean cuts were made on the nectarine just like the peach.

The cuttings are in the garage refrigerator.  I was instructed to let them rest there until the buds on the trees begin to swell sometime in February. 

Courtesy Gardening Know How

 

At that point, I make a “T” cut on the tree where I would like to make the graft.  I’m getting several bits of advice for the next step.  Do I use wax, tar, or foil to seal the graft?  The image above suggests to simply bind the graft with some twine.  My research continues. 

 

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Now I need to consider espaliering (How do you correctly use that Frenchy word?!) the camellias.