Growing apple trees, grafting scions

[spud]

If anyone wants to trade I have these available let me know, now is the time for most areas to collect them in dormancy.There are specific ways to store scions in refridgerator so you would need to read up on that.

Should they go in the refrigerator or freezer? I plan to start pruning real soon now that I am done tapping. Thanks

Spud

[barnbc76]

The refridgerator, I have heard it is good to take a damp paper towel put it in a gallon ziplock then set the scions on top of it. Monitor it to make sure the bag has moisture condensation in it over the coming months. Also the scions should not be stored in the fruit drawer because of chemical gases the fruit give off can induce early buding. For the cut ends i dipped them in candle wax so they dont dry out. I rinsed my scions to clean them a little.

The scions are theoretically supposed to be the size of a standard pencil, both in length and thickness, from last years new healthy growth. On the trees i cut mine from i used the "water shoots/suckers" as they grow faster and therefore thicker and you get rid of them anyway.

I would love to have any of these varieties, liberty, freedom, northern spy, red rome, fortune or cortland, I believe the rest are trademarked or copyrighted and therefore you are supposed to send some company $ everytime you try and graft another tree or something. Does Mac's on your list refer to Mcnitosh? If not I would be happy to send you scions of mine and my other tree which I am very certain is a Grimes golden. Can't wait to see my first succesful graft and enjoy the much better taste of an apple fresh off your own tree.

[spud]

Thanks for the great information. I have both standard Mac trees and also Snappy Mac trees that came from Stark Bro's. I can cut scions from the verities you mentioned and send them to you if interested. I will cut them about 8 inches long and about the same size as a pencil. Please PM me with your address. We are getting a big snow storm now so give me a week or so.

Spud

[barnbc76]

Pm sent spud, thanks

[Run Forest Run!]

Very cool, are you experienced in grafting? I have some crab apple trees, dont know what kind they are, they have large thorns. I am curious can I graft with them? There was an old crab apple tree cut down that send out new shoots, i have considered using them as rootstocks if they would work but it is annoying with the thorns.

This will be my first year trying grafting. A friend of mine, who's also into sugaring, is going to show me what to do. He's planning on harvesting some of those Golden Hornet crabapple scions for himself! The tree is an incredible producer.

[barnbc76]

This will be my first year trying grafting. A friend of mine, who's also into sugaring, is going to show me what to do. He's planning on harvesting some of those Golden Hornet crabapple scions for himself! The tree is an incredible producer.

Very cool, I am going to be placing an order for rootstocks this week. Anyone have experience with G935? I have a soil that is pretty wet in the spring (clay) I would prefer a 40-50% dwarf but I might be stuck with mm111 oh well.

[Trapper2]

I just finished cutting scions last week. About 20 per variety, 15 varieties. Its amazing how fast they become viable branches I think I start with smaller scions than most for top grafting. The wood I use is usually 1/2 the thickness of a pencil.. I predominately use cleft grafts instead of rind grafting as my timing isn't so critical then. Never use sucker or water sprout scions and try to get your scions from trees that are less than 10 years old.729.jpg731.jpg

In 4 years with decent parent wood your scions should be pushing wrist thickness. these trees were grafted 4 years ago.

[barnbc76]

Those trees look nice trapper2 are you growing an orchard? I just purchased 25 rootstocks mostly mm111, I hope to continue adding each year. What varieties do you grow? Is there a reason for not using water shoots for grafting?

[Run Forest Run!]

Trapper2, those two pictures are very inspiring! I had no idea that scions could grow to be that fruitful in just four years. Now I can't wait to get cutting and grafting!

[Run Forest Run!]

Trapper2, can I ask how you care for your trees with regard to dormant oils etc? All but one of the apple trees on my property are trees are the remnants of an orchard from the late 1800s. I'd like to help them along so that the fruit is less prone to insect damage without having to stock up on too many noxious chemicals. Any guidance for me?