Lemon Zest in the Tropics

[Tim]

This is one of the two surviving LZ trees I grafted earlier this year while on vacation.  It only flushed ONCE being in a 1-gal nursery grow bag for 8+ months under their care.  Finally planted out a little less than 2 months ago, it's since flushed THREE times.  The vigor of this variety is unbelievable.  Just in case if anyone's curious, it's double grafted:

Lemon Zest side veneered on Xoài Tứ Quý (Choc Anon) on Unknown rootstock





Here's the original Choc Anon graft

[edzone9]

Looking Good !

[kh0110]

...
Here's the original Choc Anon graft

I have this graft/budding on my next to graft list. Only one bud and side veneer. Thanks, Tim.

[Ethan]

Nice job grafting Tim, LZ grows like a monster!  Did you do the choc anon graft too?

[Tim]

A monster indeed... So much for the double grafted slow growth theory. Though stacking two vigorous varieties may not be the best?

I did not... And still don't... Have the gonads to perform a sure handed single node graft.
But I'm sure it's not that hard... Good luck Thera

Did you notice the cut opposite the original graft? It's done on every grafted plant... Very interesting

[kh0110]

...
Did you notice the cut opposite the original graft? It's done on every grafted plant... Very interesting

I noticed the cut on the graft in the background, and I think this kind of cuts is done to prevent the bark from shrinking away from the graft. I do this when I do patch budding on a rootstock that is at least 1 inch wide. Never thought it could be helpful for a veneer graft.

[Ethan]

Did you notice the cut opposite the original graft? It's done on every grafted plant... Very interesting

Very interesting practice!

[fruit4me]

Hi Tim, thats a cool looking bud graft!
On your bud graft, it looks like there is a top and  bottom flap holding the bud into place. Can you explain how you made the cuts? I try to copy you and almost screw up the entire graft. I ended up with only the top flap pressing against the bud.Thanks.

Max

[MangoFang]

Tim - interesting grafting job!   And oh yeah, that LZ is a monster grower - my problem...challenge...whatever,
will be to get it to flower since it didn't last year.  I may have to hit it with some KNO3 in the spring to stimulate
flowering.....


gary

[Tim]

The original Choc Anon graft was done by the nurseryman where I got them from, I did not graft them myself.  I only grafted the Lemon Zest so I don't have actual experience to give you pointers... but it really doesn't look that difficult if you're familiar with veneer method. 

I thought it's interesting grafting onto a variety that produce multiple crops.  I've never tasted Choc Anon but going against Xoài Cát Hòa Lộc and the likes, I don't understand the fascination since most farms induce their trees for out of season fruits anyway?

Good luck with your graft Max, keep us posted.