The Tropical Fruit Forum

Also when googling micro graft, I came across this article:
http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/1/1/91.full.pdf

Their success rates quoted in the article are a little depressing. I was told by friend that he knew an old lady who was getting 90+% on durians.

An old, wise friend was telling me about "micro grafts", his term for basically grafting a tree when the root stock is less than the diameter of a pen.

His basis was:
1.) It leaves no graft weakness
2.) It leaves no graft fight (where the root stock tries to outgrow the scion, leading to enveloping of the weaker material)
3.) It was easier to do since the plant material is virtually 100% cambium at juvenile stages
4.) There is a lot of energy at the early sprout of root stock, which means that once the technique is mastered it can have a high rate of success.

Arguments against
a.) When the rootstock is young its very hard to manage (flimsy when cutting)

I have been trying this theory out on some young avos, and indeed, argument a.) is very hard to manage making the cut into the root stock. He mentioned this being done on avo and durian... nothing else, but I didn't ask.

Opinions?

JF,

Do you have fruit flies over there? If so, how do you protect against them?

I think I need to set traps and bag next year....do something. Mine were getting all stung up.

That is a really nice looking avocado. Almost ornamental quality. I appreciate a good looking avocado tree.

Anyone out there use clean diapers to amend their nursery potting soil? In particular the sodium polyacrylate for moisture absorption and slow release.... the other option is to just water frequently 

And just to prove I am not crazy:
http://www.instructables.com/id/11-Unusual-Uses-for-Diapers/step5/Soil-conditioner/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_polyacrylate


hmm.. that really didn't prove much....guess I am crazy 

Lychee has a very weird fertilizing schedule... if I recall correctly. Something like urea in the spring and nothing else. You can find it online...

Once I get my fert. notebook together I will get my act together. I only have 3 lychees... all very small at the moment.

At the last HTFG Conference on Mauai, there was a discussion with Dr Yonemoto. His suggestion was the lack of taproot (and specifically, restricting the tap root growth) helps keep the tree smaller, when a tree has a taproot it tends to want to grow taller.

But, I talked to a friend, and his suggestion was while a taproot may help stabilize a tree, it also helps with water collection and during unintentional drought (when you forget to water or your system breaks down).

These are only theories....

What is the general consensus of pinching tips vs pruning (snipping)? What are the benefits/advantages to pinching?

I have had this theory that pinching might be safer for the plant due to open wounds... but I tend to overthink things....