Good day, dear forum members,
I'm curious what the group thinks of my idea.....I'm considering trying something new this year...
I might start offering grafted plants before they're healed....
although they're not guaranteed to take, there is a very high chance they will take....
I'm thinking if they for some reason do not take, I can ship out replacement scions for free, so you can try to graft again...(I would also be strategic with the grafts that I employ, so that I wouldn't compromise the rootstock, leaving enough trunk left for second attempts at grafting.)
here are some advantages to purchasing a grafted tree before it heals:
1) you don't have to wait as long!
2) the price is significantly reduced because I don't have to keep the tree in my custody while it's healing
3) I can quickly fill custom orders in some cases (like cocktail trees, or trees with special rootstocks)
4) with high demand items you will be able to essentially cut in front of the line....getting items before I offer them to the public.
and some obvious disadvantages:
1) the graft may not take! Usually I have very high success 80% or more, but sometimes there is always the inevitable failure!
2) you must keep the tree happy while it heals from grafting...this means treating the plant like usual, nothing fancy....in most cases the biggest problems are either lack of warmth and humidity (in cold regions), or lack of moisture and intense heat (in hot or dry regions).
3) when the tree is healed...you must remove grafting tape by yourself...it's not difficult, but you must do this so the tree isn't girdled by the grafting tape...you can leave the tape on the scion to biodegrade, but not around the graft union. The tape around the graft union is wound up so tight that it doesn't degrade as quickly.
4) you must have some interest in grafting...if not, you might end up with a tree that's just a rootstock! I can send free replacement scions, but if you're not willing to graft, they are useless!
This whole deal I'm thinking of is just in the works....it's not for everyone (especially if you don't want to try grafting), and not for every plant (some plants just can't handle that type of abuse, being grafted and shipped partially bare root without healing).
At first I will probably offer some of the Myrciarias, Eugenias, Annonas, and Loquats....I won't have many pouterias or garcinias now, but maybe later in the year.
I'm interested to hear some of your thoughts on this idea.
Although there are some risks involved, I think in some cases it might work out very well.
thanks in advance for your feedback!
(I'm going to decide whether or not to offer this deal, based on the responses I get)
