Can you elaborate on your process?
How big are the trees you are top working? What varieties are the scions you are using? What grafting method are you using?
I have a huge Callery pears grafting project underway, but still no pears. I know I need to get more sun to the grafted trees, but I feel like they should be at least putting out some flowers.
Yes, see below for the answers to your questions:
All three of those shown above were about 2 to 2.5 inches DBH, and that is the height at which I topped them. I estimate that the trees were about 10-12 feet tall before I cut them off, and by the end of the first year they had grown back to almost as tall as when I topped them.
I use bark grafting and brace the grafts the first two years with sticks of cane (bamboo) and duct tape. Without the bracing, our storms will break off the new grafts. Leave the bracing on a couple of years, but cut the tape at the graft before the end of the first year to allow for growth. I can't stress too much how important it is to brace the grafts. I use electrical tape for the actual grafting and duct tape for the bracing. As the tree grows, I add more duct tape from time to time.
The first tree was done with Sweet Advent Scions. The second tree was done with Olympic Giant scions. The last tree was done with scions from an unknown variety from an old home place, but it sure looks like that one is going to be a Kieffer.
All three of the above are in full sun. I have done other in partial shade that are slower to fruit and generally have less fruit when they start.
In full sun you should see at least some flowers by the second year, and by the third year a lot more. I have occasionally seen flowers on first year scions, but I would pull those off.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
