Early bench graft care questions

[Hoytvectrix]

I have two quick questions. This is my first year grafting fruit trees and I thought I would check with some of the more experienced folks on here.

1. I have my apple and pear bench grafts potted in 2-3 gallon pots and placed out and caged with hardware cloth on my patio in MN right now. Most are leafed out with 3-4 inches of growth. We are supposed to get down to 34 for two nights this week. Should I move these inside or if it stays above freezing should I be fine?

2. Out of the 25 bench grafts, I have 4 that have shown almost no life in the scion, but the rootstocks are all leafing out. How much longer would you be pinching back the growth from the rootstock to try and push the resources through the graft union to the scionwood on those that haven't had bud swell or leafed out? My only concern is that I end up killing the rootstock by being too patient on a graft that is never going to take. These grafts all had 3 weeks callusing in my garage at about 40-60F, and they have been in potted soil for the 10 days or so. Many began leafing out about two weeks ago and some are still leafing out.

 

[bigboreblr]

34..... leave alone or cover either be ok.


Bad scion. Let the rootstock go, topwork in a few years. B118,m111, doggo, or anty. All ok September trees by themselves.

T bud is an option in September.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I was definitely planning on t-budding in the late summer with the failures.

 

[bigboreblr]

I have a covered porch that faces east. I leave the potted grafts in there for a week. Get a little light while the unions finish up healing. They were in the basement for 3 weeks. The morning lights wars them up sooner for the day than afternoon light. After I come back from camp this weekend, they'll get full light. I also cover the tops with some mulch and cover the light exposed sides with wooden board to prevent them from getting too hot.

I've planted anywhere from 4th of july till december. Besides one getting destroyed by animals, 100% survival.

This year potted 29 apple grafts in mostly 3 gallon airpots. 2 or 3 didn't wake up, another 2 or 3 got small leaves. I also pot grafted bareroots in 5 gallon pots. Trees were waking up and didn't have a good chance at camp yet.