New To Grafting...Got a Question

[Natty Bumppo]

Reading all of the threads about grafting has peaked my interest. I think I'd like to try it this year. I've spent the past week or so doing some research and watchung YouTube videos. Looks fun, and fairly easy, and something I'd like to try this spring. I was about to order some B118 rootstock from FEDCO Seeds up in Maine (http://www.fedcoseeds.com/) and I read this on their page:

"Because of the way they are propagated, clonal rootstocks (B118, M111, G11, B9 apples and OHxF97 pear) rarely come with more than a few roots. We recommend planting clonal rootstocks for a year in your garden or nursery before grafting them."

Just wanted to get your advice on this. Am I out of luck for trying it this spring? Or can I go for it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Maybe Fedco doesnt produce as good of rootstock as some other places? Shorter growing season? My Cummins rootstock in B118, B9, M106 had plenty of roots to allow for very nice whips by the end of the summer. The pear rootstocks of the OH x F do tend to be a little weak in the root department. However, I did still have some good trees on it as well just needed to water them a little more at first. Once I get my nursery a little more established I will likely grow my OH x F for a season prior to grafting.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Thanks guys.

 

[aerospacefarmer]

Some years I've gotten rootstocks with few roots, other years they have great root systems. I've grafted both those with and without lots of roots and haven't noticed any difference in success rates of my grafts.

Ditto although I did have a few failures of rootstock but it was 3 out of 40 so definitely go for it or get the roots from Cummins to ensure better success. I think they all buy from the big suppliers on the west coast anyway

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Natty, you have enough wild trees that you might want to try grafting some scions on to those as well. My goal this year is to try grafting g some early, mid, and late season scions onto a few of my wild trees.

Thanks again guys.

NH Mtns...yes, this is exactly what I am planning to do. I am currently doing some logging on my land to create some small hidey-hole food plots. I'd like to establish some wild apples around the perimeter of these this spring. I just bought 25 rootstocks on B.118 from Cummins.

Also on my drive home from work each day I keep a look out for apples on the sides of the roads. I've spotted some large trees that still have late hanging apples. Think I'll grab some scion wood from those and give it a try.