Budding would be perfect starting tomorrow until air temperature falls below 70 deg. It will be just upper 80's for the next 10 days. The trees are in the last growth flush of the season.

The buds are forced in spring. I would try bark grafting to see how these would compare to fall budding. The danger of bark grafting is that the branches will surely sprout and it may not be enough time to harden off before the frosts come. But that is something that I would just have to try for myself.

So California people, this is the start of a good time for grafting citruses. Budding would be the most recommended technique.

Tomorrow, start grafting to the Flying Dragon Rootstocks that I have grown from the seeds I germinated a couple of years back.

Same here Joe. I am planning to do a lot of budding and bark grafting in the next few weeks. I would like to get some more Nules clementines stock from you to put on Beth's grapefruit over in AL since I now know it does not take on satsumas. I can use toothpick size wood now that I have learned how to do the bark graft with it.

Bark grafting has been very good for me this summer-- working right through the heat of summer, but now that it is cool enough for budding, I will go back to that.

Joe, I know you do not need to improve your budding, but have you tried or looked at the idea I had to help with budding by using something to hold the T pocket open while you cut the bud? What do you think?

That is excellent especially if the flaps don't open easily. Most of the time, I can lift the flaps on the T-cut with just the bud that I am going to insert. My buds have wood in them so they are easy to insert. At times I would have to use the knife to lift open the flap to insert a wimpy bud inside and your device should help. Most of the time though, my buds are just easy to insert using one hand.