Pruning grafts

[Red]

Most of my apple grafts seem to be doing decently and I’m wondering if I should be pruning them or give them a full season of growing before hacking them?
Many of them have the rootstock out growing the scion. Some of the scion have 2-3 buds that made it and are competing to be the leader.

 

[sandbur]

Those look way ahead of mine.

I should let the experts answer, but I have been pinching off some of the rootstock growth when you are sure the scion has taken.

Tonight, I pinched off one double leader on a scion. I hope the other makes it.

Some interesting varieties there! ;)

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[Barndog56]

Red, your scions definitely have enough growth to be confident of their success. So go ahead and remove all rootstock growth. I wouldn't prune any scion growth though. The more leaves you have up there, the more resources are sent down to the roots. The better your root system, the healthier your tree will be in future years.

 

[H20fwler]

I rub off the low stuff I know I don't want, especially off the rootstock. I try and keep the energy going into upward higher new branches/leaves...kind of early training. I look mine over good every few days do a little weeding and try and keep them so they are all top growth right now.

 

[chickenlittle]

Once I'm sure the scion is good, i may pinch the end of a competing leader and keep it in reserve. But I've let those go to produce future scionwood when i know I'd like to graft more of that next spring.

 

[Red]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll start trimming back my babies.
Sandbur, I’ve got a great selection of apples so far. Thank you for all the scions.
You can see right up from I do have one of your ABC crabs that is looking pretty tough . I have a second one somewhere out there that I have to check on to see if that one is going to pull through.

 

[H20fwler]

Here is a pic of what I was talking about that has worked pretty good for me. I've only been grafting rootstock a few years so there are lots on here that know way more than I do on this topic.

 

[Red]

H20, thank you too for the scions! They are looking really good.
The damage is done, I went out last night and cleaned up the rootstock growth. It was pretty dark at the time so some additional detailing still needs to happen. Fingers crossed that this will push more growth into the scion.

 

[cavey]

Red your trees look great.. the only thing I will add is that - make sure your tags wont fade in the sun and eventually get some metal tags on/near them and you may want to stake them for added support (nothing worse than loosing a tag or having it fade out). Now watch for bugs and disease.

 

[H20fwler]

I agree with cavey, your trees are looking great!

 

[sandbur]

Red, what did you use for rootstock? You probably told me before....


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[Red]

All of them are on b118 from Copenhaven Farms. They were 1/4”.
Roots looked great on almost all of them. Upon closer look the other night, about 3 of rootstocks failed out of the 60 that are in the bed.