Citrus Growers Forum

greenZ · Citruholic Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 72 Location: NorCal

1) Can I put two (or more) budwood sticks (same and/or of different type) at ONE end of ONE cut-off limb of the recepient tree? Like the letter "Y". In other words, is it wise to do it? This is regarding Joe's Bark graft.

The reason I asked, is because I don't want to cut off too many limbs of the recepient tree for new budwood insertion. (not yet anyway; the tree is still small).

2) Can I still do a bark graft onto a limb that is still green? A limb that doesn't have woody stripes covering it yet. It has a nice round diameter, but it doesn't show "wood" yet in the skin. Also, can you do a bark graft on a NON-round diameter recepient limb?

3) For Northern California people: when is a good time to actually start doing bark grafting? A rough DATE time frame that you usually go outside and starting doing your bark graft.

I ordered some budwoods from UCR Citrus Clonal Protection Program. The ordering deadline is Jan 17. Cutting begins Jan 21. Shipping of budwoods is Jan 28. When I do get the budwoods, do I start bark grafting right away or is there a date I should wait for, for good success?

Thanks in advance.

Skeeter · Posted: Mon 14 Jan, 2008 12:06 pm

I can answer a couple of those questions-- Yes you can put 2 different scions on a cut limb. And yes you can bark graft on green limbs. I have posted pictures of bark grafts on pencil size stock with toothpick size scions. As for non round stock, it is actually best to find a flat side of a limb since the scion cut will be flat.

I am not familiar with Nor Cal climate dates, but bark will slip when the tree is actively growing.

_________________
Skeet

JoeReal · Posted: Mon 14 Jan, 2008 1:10 pm

greenZ wrote:

1) Can I put two (or more) budwood sticks (same and/or of different type) at ONE end of ONE cut-off limb of the recepient tree? Like the letter "Y". In other words, is it wise to do it? This is regarding Joe's Bark graft.
The reason I asked, is because I don't want to cut off too many limbs of the recepient tree for new budwood insertion. (not yet anyway; the tree is still small).

Although you can do two on one, I wouldn't recommend it because it will produce weaker limb on one of them. I'd rather do one bark graft at the end and then a lot of T-buds below the bark graft. That way you can have several cultivars on a limb. But carefully arrange the location of T-buds so that the resulting growth will be balanced.

greenZ wrote:

2) Can I still do a bark graft onto a limb that is still green? A limb that doesn't have woody stripes covering it yet. It has a nice round diameter, but it doesn't show "wood" yet in the skin. Also, can you do a bark graft on a NON-round diameter recepient limb?

When the citrus tree is young, yes it should be no problem, even younger than that. I love to bark graft on the longest flattest side of a non-round stem, the contact is unmatched. The main advantage of perfectly round stem is that you are more flexible when it comes to orienting your scionwood as you have 360 degrees to choose from. Whereas, with non-round stems, where ever the flat side is facing, or find something flat that is facing in the direction you want.

greenZ wrote:

3) For Northern California people: when is a good time to actually start doing bark grafting? A rough DATE time frame that you usually go outside and starting doing your bark graft.

Usually when there is warm spell towards the end of February. For sure there are warm spells in March, but if you want to push your luck, observe your citruses starting after Valentine's day. Also, late January to early February would be the best time to apply fertilizers on your inground citruses. The late rains should push them down into the rootzones in time for the spring flush, and you will be rewarded with many fruit sets.

greenZ wrote:

I ordered some budwoods from UCR Citrus Clonal Protection Program. The ordering deadline is Jan 17. Cutting begins Jan 21. Shipping of budwoods is Jan 28. When I do get the budwoods, do I start bark grafting right away or is there a date I should wait for, for good success?
Thanks in advance.

Practically, the best budwoods from UCR CCPP are the January cuttings, followed by the September cuttings, and the worst are the summer cuttings.

One major advantage of th January cuttings is that the budwoods are hardened, they are shipped when the shipping hubs are cold, and the budwoods are truly dormant. You can store them in the fridge bin the longest compared to other cutting dates, because these budwoods have been acclimatized and are truly dormant and would not encounter any shipment or chilling shocks. Simply wait for the spring flush sometime in March, with a possibility of late February, depending on weather. Heck, you can bark graft well into summer and your scionwood would be great if you keep them in the fridge. Just graft or bud when there is no rain, preferably as soon as the dews are gone from the leaves. You have a wide range of dates to chose from.

I am anxiously waiting for shipments myself. I ordered way back in 12/06 last year to be first in line for some cultivars that are in short supply (remember, these are only screenhouse orders, no more foundation block orders).

Have fun!

Joe

greenZ · Citruholic Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 72 Location: NorCal

Thank you all!

I'm very impressed with this forum as it gives great support (and quick too). Very professional.

1) How do you and/or where do you put the budwood sticks in your fridge? Do you put them in the crisper compartment, the vegetable bin area of your fridge? Do you wrapped the budwood sticks with moist paper towels? How cold is cold in the fridge (for storage)?

Thanks again. Obviously I'm a rookie at citrus grafting, but am very excited to get started on this new found hobby. My other hobbies are building/fixing cars and bikes.

Anyways, budwood ordered from CCPP. Grafting knife ordered. Parafilm grafting tape ordered. Several containerized citrus trees ready to receive the graft, plus two large inground citrus trees (over at my parents' place) to practice on
Very Happy

JoeReal · Posted: Mon 14 Jan, 2008 6:26 pm

Place them in a bin where you keep your vegetables fresh. Do not add anything to the ziploc given by UCR CCPP, as their ziploc bags are generally very clean, and you keep it sealed to keep moisture in the buds fresh. The moment you open them and subdivide into other ziploc bags for distribution, a clean paper towel lightly moistened with distilled water, should be placed inside the bag, wrapping those subdivided budsticks. But as soon as those ziploc bags arrive, put them right away into the fridge, in the fresh vegetable compartment.