Unusual Grafting Situation

[PoorSand]

Last fall, I jammed my benchgrafts that had failed into pots and put the pots in the ground. I collected scions this past winter. Right when I was going to start benchgrafting them this spring I got hit by a health problem that prevented me from benchgrafting. The doctors have finally gotten me back to normal after a medical procedure. It's time for me to do something with the materials I have on hand.

Here's what I have on hand:
- Last year's rootstock growing well, but likely with its roots entangled.
- Lots of dormant scions in the refrigerator that still look good.
- Pots and potting mix.

My options I have thought of:
1. Go ahead and benchgraft the rootstock now, pot them individually, and water them profusely for a couple week. (I wouldn't expect any new growth, but if I can get the grafts to take hold, that is good enough for this year.)
2. T-bud dormant buds onto the rootstock, not expecting any new growth.
3. Do both of the above.
4. Throw everything out.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Turkey Creek]

I would certainly give either the benchgraft method (probably a cleft graft) and the chip bud method a try. If you can collect fresh scion that would be a better option for a T-bud IMO. Depending on your location you might be too early to T-bud. If you T-bud too early and the bud breaks dormancy it may not put on enough growth to develop and set good buds for next year. You have nothing to lose. If they take and start to grow you could always baby them a bit more and bring them inside for a month or two depending on when your first frost is. Then after they have a little better growth, slowly re-acclimate them to outside and let them over winter before planting out next Spring. You can always do a little root pruning then. If they fail your root stock should send up a new shoot that you can try again on next Spring if this attempt fails. The scion being truly viable might be the only thing I would have concern over.

 

[BuckSnort]

At this point in the year, I would second T budding this late summer / fall. When I’ve been able to cut good fresh Scion from a healthy tree, it’s been very successful and it’s amazing how quickly the tree grows from that single bud. And really aside from some time in the fall, youre not out anything, you can always regraft in the spring if they don’t take.

 

[Telemark]

I would T bud or chip bud.

I would not try to untangle the roots. I would wait until they are all dormant and then wash the whole mess and try to untangle everything as well as you can. Then pot everything individually.

 

[bigboreblr]

Had a few failed grafts this year. Did a few chip bud or T-bud, and a few tongue and whips. Put chip below last good bud. They worked.

Dont go by most desired scion, go by best quality scion.