Grafting After Care
In the weeks and months after completing the graft it is important to check back and follow up with basic care to ensure the graft stays healthy and has the best chance for success.
- It is usually obvious after a couple of weeks if the graft has failed as it will have dried and shrunken. If the wood looks alive and the buds are full or opening then there is a good chance your graft will take.
- Remove active growth and buds from below the graft point as this will take energy required by the healing graft.
- If any of the buds on the freshly grafted wood are blossoms then these should be removed. Just pinch them off carefully with fingernails or clip with secateurs. This allows the branch to focus on healing the union and prevents any breakage caused by heavy fruit. This may be necessary on the following year also, depending on the style and state of the graft.
- When the graft is part of a larger tree consider periodic pruning or bending down of old wood to encourage development of grafted part(s)
- After several months check grafting tape / bindings are not strangling / girdling the healing graft. Some tapes are biodegradable and will split or peel after exposure to summer sun, others require manual splitting with a sharp blade to release the pressure.
- Excessive sun and wind exposure can dessicate or dislodge grafts. If your rootstock is in a pot keep it in a sheltered location until the union is solid. A high humidity environment is ideal.
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October
Related
Grafting calendar
There are 2 main activities related to grafting that are season and weather specific.
Correct timing is only part of the grafting process. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the technique, compatibility and after care for the best results.
- Collecting desired varieties of scion wood from healthy trees while they are dormant. For deciduous fruit and nut trees this is mid winter or late June to July in New Zealand
- Grafting the stored scions onto the appropriate rootstocks in early to mid spring when growth is commencing. Here in North Canterbury this is from early August to to mid October.
Correct timing is only part of the grafting process. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the technique, compatibility and after care for the best results.
Buy fruit tree scion and bud wood for grafting
Check out our current selection and availability of scion and bud wood for grafting onto your own rootstocks and existing trees
We sell a selection of named and known varieties of fruit trees so you can add new flavours with multi grafting
We sell a selection of named and known varieties of fruit trees so you can add new flavours with multi grafting
Rootstock compatibility for different types of tree
Scions of desirable varieties must be grafted onto a compatible rootstock; otherwise, the graft will eventually be rejected by the host tree.
The rootstock determines the tree’s size, vigour, and adaptability to soil conditions, while the scion dictates the type and timing of flowers and fruit.
In most cases, grafting is only successful between closely related species—for example, apples must be grafted onto other apples. However, there are exceptions, such as grafting almonds onto peach rootstock.
Multi grafted fruit trees - Combine your favourite varieties on a single tree
Imagine a single tree with apples of many flavours, ripening from March to June, or combining apricots, plums and peaches.
A great way to save space and spread the yield over a longer harvest time.
While there is no limit to the number of different cultivars that can be supported from a single root system there are several considerations or complications that arise:
A great way to save space and spread the yield over a longer harvest time.
While there is no limit to the number of different cultivars that can be supported from a single root system there are several considerations or complications that arise:
- Differing growth rates can result in one type becoming overly dominant
- Each additional variety increases the complexity of pruning
Spring grafting season for fruit and nut trees August - October
Wood is cut and graded in June for dispatch in July – August. On receipt, scion wood will need to be stored refrigerated until the appropriate local grafting time.
Grafting is the process of adding part of a known, desirable tree onto existing, growing roots of a similar species. This process offers many benefits such as having many types of apple on a single tree or influencing the characteristics of the tree such as size, soil requirements and disease resistance.
Length: 150 – 170mm with 3 - 4 buds
Diameter: 5 – 12mm
Grafting is the process of adding part of a known, desirable tree onto existing, growing roots of a similar species. This process offers many benefits such as having many types of apple on a single tree or influencing the characteristics of the tree such as size, soil requirements and disease resistance.
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