Is this what atemoya branches look like or, are these bud graft? (Lisa atemoya)

[JoleneP]

I just got a grafted Lisa Atemoya and very excited! However, the branches from where it joins the central stem looks weird to me. I’ve never seen an atemoya plant and from some google images, atemoya branches do look weird at various nodes, or it could be that I'm just also not use to looking at fruit trees this intensely. Or are these branches from bud graft?

Please help if you know! Also, anyone know if I can take the tape off the graft or can point me to a source on grafting and how to care for a recently grafted plant? Both branches are each at least a foot ling already.

Thank you in advance!

[simon_grow]

That looks like a cleft graft to me. The area with the dark green tape is the graft union. I don’t see any bud grafts.

Since both branches are at least a foot long, you may be able to take off the green tape but it’s best to ask the grafter if you have their contact info. How long has the graft union had to heal? You can unwrap the green tape and if the union is strong with good callous tissue, it should be fine.

If the union looks weak, you can re tie some tape to give it some support if you have strong winds in your area.

Simon

[spaugh]

Hello, you need to remove the buddy tape(the clear tape).  And then remove the green tape and put some other similar tape on but more loose.  The graft union on atemoya needs to have some tape on for a while or it can grow rapidly and split.  But tape needs to be loose enough that it can expand but not girdle the graft and also not let the graft pop apart.  Flagging tape wors welll for that. 

[JoleneP]

Thank you Simon and “spaugh”!

I asked the seller as well, she said the tape will fall off… 🤔 Based on your input (which made a lot of sense) and quite a few grafting videos. I took the tape off. I'm in VA so these plants are very precious to me. pics (attached)

it looks like it is sorta calloused but not completely, but I differ to you guys.

It looked a bit too moldy for my liking so I let it sun/air dry for a few hours.

I don’t have flagging tape but I have this other kind, it's kinda sticky. Holding it together made a lot of sense, so I attempted what you both describe.. Which was a lot more difficult in practice given a I'm not quite sure the appropriate tension…

I did it like so, so that I can inspect for infections or any funny business, pics attached. I will update this post to show you progress if you're interested, or anyone else going through this.

Thank you again for your help and advice, I really appreciate it. Any other feedback is very welcome!

[spaugh]

The tape does not need to be real tight.  Just snug.  Then loosen it again as it grows.  You will see it girdle if it is too tight.  But that graft is not at all fully healed and still needs tape on it or it can pop apart and fail.  Cheers

[Seanny]

Wrap higher to cover the cut end of rootstock so the wound heals better.

[JoleneP]

Thanks again! I have implemented both your advice as best I could.

I did it with electric tape to be more sturdy because if the graft snaps, I will cry, lol. If not physically, at least mentally.

To prevent mold, I thought it would be helpful to make a little umbrella, 😁. I’ve seen gardeners use either plastic or bubble wrap to protect atemoya fruits so maybe this can help the graft heal and prevent water from seeping in.

Also, I topped off the scion branches in the hopes to redirect energy back to the roots (so I heard) and maybe heal more instead of growing.

Fingers crossed! Also, added pics of the plant with leaves, odd that it has this much growth but the graft isn’t fully healed… will update once more action happens around the graft area.