Steven, thank you for the thoughtful video, photos and information on how you graft avocados.
Coincidentally, I cleft-grafted 18 seedlings last month using a method similar to yours and only had 7 'takes'. When I compare my method to yours, in search of my problem, I can only see that I tended to use longer scions, while yours seem to only be, maybe, 7 cm (3") long. Also, I wrapped the scions with plastic kitchen wrap instead of a bag. My seedlings were in a 50% shadehouse.
I'd appreciate your comments on some aspects of grafting:
1) Do you keep the young grafts in total shade for the first few weeks, or partial shade?
2) Do you have success with scions that have swollen side buds but clip off the growing/leafing terminal bud?
3) What is your thinking on the ideal scion? Which scions should we avoid? Do you choose very green wood or older wood?
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
I am glad i could share this with everyone, who are very much interested to learn how to graft
I'm happy to answer any questions on this matter and help fellow members to succeed in grafting. For me grafting in second in line...First is of course, eating them fruits
1)
Do you keep the young grafts in total shade for the first few weeks, or partial shade?I prefer to put the newly grafted seedlings in a semi-shade location, where they get a bit sun in the morning. If they were in a sunny location, the bulid up of heat in the bag will harm the scion.
2)
Do you have success with scions that have swollen side buds but clip off the growing/leafing terminal bud?Yes, these scion are very successful for grafting. I like to use scions that have a maximum of 3-6 buds and a minimum of one per scions. The length of the scions are about 7-5 cm/ 3''-2'' (You nailed it, John
). If a terminal bud is flushing, just clip the terminal growth and use the swollen axillary bud scions for grafting. The second pic above, seedling on the left was grafted with swollen axillary bud scion. The terminal bud of this scion was flushing at the moment of harvest.
3)
What is your thinking on the ideal scion? Which scions should we avoid? Do you choose very green wood or older wood?Well, my ideal scions must be harvested when they are mature, swollen in which the buds are about to flush or vegetate.
Old hard wooded scions are not ideal for grafted, in my opinion. These are for flowering and to hold this year's fruit production.
I prefer young-mature green scions over the old hard wooded scions. The old scions are most likely the culprits, with my unsuccessful attempts of grafting avocado.
Check these scions out!
The budwood below are from a tree that is most probably over 30 years old.
On the left; Is old scion and young scion on the right, which both have leaves.
The budwood on the left is not ideal for grafting(old wood). The budwood on the right is ideal for grafting, Which I pruned a branch back in late winter to rejuvenate the branches and have ''fresh'' supply of scions for grafting this season, between spring and mid-summer.
Here's the brunch I pruned back in late winter.
Young trees do not need to be pruned back to rejuvenate the branch for ''fresh'' scions. This scion is from a tree that is around 15 years.
Hopefully this will help you and other fellow members to choose the right scions and succeed in grafting
Good luck, John in them future grafts...Hope you get 100% takes, next time you graft