I started my nut/seedling grafting today. Two of my AU Buck IIIxIV nuts were small but they germinated. Unfortunately, they damped out very quickly. So, I decided to try them first. First I removed enough mix from the cells to expose the top inch of root.
I cut the stem off just below the damp-out and then split the stem down into the root. I inserted the scion there. My problem is that my fingers are to big to use rubber bands or parafilm. I had a hard time securing the graft. With one graft, I did not secure it at all. With the other, I was able to get a twist tie around it. I put both cells in a 1 gal Ziploc bag to hold in the humidity. I decided to use a binder clip on the top of the bag so I could hand it from my shop lights....Mistake... The bag slipped out of the binder clip and crashed.
The graft with the twist tie seemed to stay intact so I put the medium that fell out back in the cell and put it in a bag by itself. This time, I put a small hole in the bag above the seal but below the reinforcement and slipped a cable tie through it to hand it from the lights. With all the brouhaha, I doubt if it will take but what the heck, I'm learning.
The scion cam out of the unsecured graft and the root broke off at the nut. Undeterred, I saw this as an opportunity to do a direct nut graft. I cut the end off the nut and did a traditional direct nut graft like those shown in the video above. I then checked the Chinese chestnuts that Wayne sent me. Only one has produced a root radicle so far. It had no stem yet so I decided to try the direct nut grafting again. I took some pics this time. I first cut off the root radicle:
Next, I used a utility knife to cut about 1/4 of the nut off:
I then used an Exacto knife to make a slice and inserted a scion. I placed the nut back in an 18 covering the nut with promix.
Finally, I placed the cell in a Ziploc bag like the others. Most folks just put the nuts in medium directly in the Ziploc bag but I decided to put it in an 18 and then the 18 in the bag. I did this for several reasons. First, as the nut produces roots I won't have to disturb them when removing it from the bag and transplanting it. There should be no tap root to prune but the 18 should prune laterals. Second, to ensure very high humidity in the bag, I simply put a little water in the bottom of the bag. Since it drains to the corner below the 18, it has no negative impact on the roots as they form.
With this particular nut, I was unable to identify the two distinct sides of the nut for inserting the scion. Other than that possible issue, I'm expecting this one to work.
I'll take a picture of the bags hanging when I get a chance. I also removed the remaining Chinese chestnuts that Wayne sent from the fridge. Since I'm planning to nut graft these rather than grow seedlings, I just dumped them into a ziplock with promix. I'll be cutting off the root radicle anyway once they germinate. As these nuts germinate, I'll update the thread.
Thanks,
Jack
