I have unwrapped several grafts I budded 4 weeks ago. I actually unwrapped them @ 3 weeks and have waited another week to be sure they took before forcing the buds. On some I bent the rootstock and others I've lopped the top ~2 inches above the graft, straight away. In both cases, but, more so with the lopping, I have had 3 otherwise green and perfect, brown up. Another, a Yuzu I grafted to my Lisbon, is doing the same...I am hesitant to do anymore....What did I do wrong?

Maybe a fungus or mold problem. Try to keep the bud area as dry as possible.

Some will also look like they took & will just die after you unwrap them...

I had put some in my mouth while getting the "T" ready...could that be it? I've read some do it and some advise against it. There doesn't seem to be any sign of bacteria though. What would make them die after unwrapping? Should I just leave the rest until spring?

just my two cents...

Could it be that you just unwrapped it too early? I keep reading that "T" should stay wrapped for at least 6 weeks in fall and be forced in spring. I just unwrapped two of mine after 5 weeks since the union seemed to heal nicely, so we will see.

Good luck!

I have never waited more than 3 weeks, usually 2 weeks in the summer.

Could it be incompatibility with my Lisbon? There are others that are failing after being green, but, nothing I have grafted to the Lisbon have been successful after forcing. So far, the casualties on the Lisbon are: 2 Jincheng oranges (failed within the week though), Rio Red grapefruit, 2 Yuzu's. What really stinks is that now I've hacked up the tree for nothing. I might as well have bark grafted, I feel I'd have more success. I'm 6 for 6 with bark grafting onto other trees (Owari, Page and Nova to Dobashi Beni, My sister's Orange onto my Meyer, and, Melogold and Mexican Thornless onto my Bearss)....ugh~ it's so frustrating!

Also, I used the tip of the razor blade in alot of cases to place the bid...I'm thinking I damaged things???

Thank you. That's what I had decided to do anyway... do I have to force them at all, or will they grow eventually on their own? This question is more, particularly, with regards to grafting i've done on existing, more mature trees.

I force them all year long with no problems. The pots are black & absorb the heat of the sun all winter, so they continue to grow. Here are Feminello lemons I just forced about two weeks ago & variegated valencia oranges I forced last week.





Remember if you leave the buds too long without forcing them, the bark can regrow over the bud & you will have to start over.

Ought...ok. Thanks, Laaz. I' gaining a little more confidence, my last round last week seems to be doing well, including an all blood orange tree I made. I am guarding that one like a mama bear, I'll be so proud of it if it works!

Now, what about forcing when you've budded onto an existing tree? I seem to be running into far more failures there (I.e. All the grafts I put on my Lisbon- yuzu, smith red, nave ate, jincheng)....they all seemed to take then died once I hacked off the perfectly good Lisbon branch!

Post some photos of what you did.

Photos of the lisbon/Bermuda Triangle, the blood orange tree or both?

Also, I noticed, Laaz, you do unwrap yours before forcing... do you do as well, mrtexas? I know you've suggested the vinyl tape vs. Parafilm. I've used parafilm and have read I can just let the buds sprout through the tape.

Both.