Chickie'sMomaInNH
Garden Master
well, after a suggestion from Marshall last night i thought i would post a few links i've been finding online while i'm researching fruit tree grafting! there are plenty of links to find the scion wood from heirloom varieties of trees. the rootstock is the harder item to find suppliers online. :/ there is a lot of info out there on the internet that can help you to do the actual grafting methods so all you really need to do is research!
first i should probably start by giving some info on how or why you might want to graft your own trees. or just what to look for when you are getting a grafted tree either from a local nursery or someone online supplying you with the trees you want at the height you want. most fruit trees are 'clones' made by cutting off branches from the parent tree. it is unreliable to get the same fruit characteristics trying to grow from the seeds because most are cross pollinated with a different variety of tree.
http://www.orangepippintrees.com/articles/introduction-fruit-tree-rootstocks ever wonder how they make a fruit tree a shorter sized tree? it's usually the rootstock that controls how big that tree will get! if the fruiting part of the tree is on it's own rootstock (never grafted) it will be it's full size and probably get to about 30-40 feet tall. rootstock can also help with making a fruit variety more resistant to certain diseases, pests, or hardier and able to grow in colder climates. if you scroll down to the bottom of the Orange Pippin site you can click on the links to the rootstock most commonly used for each type of fruit tree.
Grafting Methods
different types to try and learn. http://www.gardenguides.com/86743-types-plant-grafting.html grafting of veggies for those that have been looking for that info! http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/greenhs/htms/Tomgraft.htm more tree grafting http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/DG0532c.html
Scion wood sources
http://www.maplevalleyorchards.com/Pages/ScionWood.aspx
http://www.masonvilleorchard.com/scionwood.htm
there are a lot more sites that carry scion wood, you just need to do a search for fruit tree scion wood. you might even be able to ask locals for their trimmings of their trees for nothing! most scion wood costs only a few dollars for up to a foot long twig that you can make a couple of grafts with. most places will carry & sell scions during February and March. if you can't get to grafting them right away you can triple bag the twigs, place a damp paper towel in the bag and place them in the fridge till you are ready.
Rootstock Suppliers
www.fedcoseeds.com
www.raintreenursery.com
there may be more suppliers of rootstock but these are the 2 i could readily find when i did a search online.
Grafting tools
some things i have found at my local feed store or at a local nursery/greenhouse but there are some decent sources online if you check around. there's a grafting tape that i have never seen locally so i'll probably have to order this, i've seen it called parafilm and some sites charge an outrageous price to ship it. there are a few suppliers that sell it much cheaper on ebay but keep looking around before you decide to buy it. i've heard using electrical tape to wrap the graft is not recommended since the tape becomes brittle after a long time in the sun and could cause the graft to not heal or dry out before it does. you will also need paraffin wax which i know i can get it at my local grocery store where they keep the canning supplies. you could also get it from a local beauty supply store since paraffin wax treatments have been the latest beauty rage at salons. or you could just use up an old candle.
http://www.amleo.com/flexogen-hose-garden-6-ply-3%2f4in/p/VP-34/ poly budding tape with decent shipping if you only need 1 roll.
if anyone has any luck or can add to this please do so! i'd love to hear if anyone had success grafting their own trees. i'm going to take that plunge finally this year!
first i should probably start by giving some info on how or why you might want to graft your own trees. or just what to look for when you are getting a grafted tree either from a local nursery or someone online supplying you with the trees you want at the height you want. most fruit trees are 'clones' made by cutting off branches from the parent tree. it is unreliable to get the same fruit characteristics trying to grow from the seeds because most are cross pollinated with a different variety of tree.
http://www.orangepippintrees.com/articles/introduction-fruit-tree-rootstocks ever wonder how they make a fruit tree a shorter sized tree? it's usually the rootstock that controls how big that tree will get! if the fruiting part of the tree is on it's own rootstock (never grafted) it will be it's full size and probably get to about 30-40 feet tall. rootstock can also help with making a fruit variety more resistant to certain diseases, pests, or hardier and able to grow in colder climates. if you scroll down to the bottom of the Orange Pippin site you can click on the links to the rootstock most commonly used for each type of fruit tree.
Grafting Methods
different types to try and learn. http://www.gardenguides.com/86743-types-plant-grafting.html grafting of veggies for those that have been looking for that info! http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/greenhs/htms/Tomgraft.htm more tree grafting http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/DG0532c.html
Scion wood sources
http://www.maplevalleyorchards.com/Pages/ScionWood.aspx
http://www.masonvilleorchard.com/scionwood.htm
there are a lot more sites that carry scion wood, you just need to do a search for fruit tree scion wood. you might even be able to ask locals for their trimmings of their trees for nothing! most scion wood costs only a few dollars for up to a foot long twig that you can make a couple of grafts with. most places will carry & sell scions during February and March. if you can't get to grafting them right away you can triple bag the twigs, place a damp paper towel in the bag and place them in the fridge till you are ready.
Rootstock Suppliers
www.fedcoseeds.com
www.raintreenursery.com
there may be more suppliers of rootstock but these are the 2 i could readily find when i did a search online.
Grafting tools
some things i have found at my local feed store or at a local nursery/greenhouse but there are some decent sources online if you check around. there's a grafting tape that i have never seen locally so i'll probably have to order this, i've seen it called parafilm and some sites charge an outrageous price to ship it. there are a few suppliers that sell it much cheaper on ebay but keep looking around before you decide to buy it. i've heard using electrical tape to wrap the graft is not recommended since the tape becomes brittle after a long time in the sun and could cause the graft to not heal or dry out before it does. you will also need paraffin wax which i know i can get it at my local grocery store where they keep the canning supplies. you could also get it from a local beauty supply store since paraffin wax treatments have been the latest beauty rage at salons. or you could just use up an old candle.
http://www.amleo.com/flexogen-hose-garden-6-ply-3%2f4in/p/VP-34/ poly budding tape with decent shipping if you only need 1 roll.
if anyone has any luck or can add to this please do so! i'd love to hear if anyone had success grafting their own trees. i'm going to take that plunge finally this year!
we all know there is never going to be that perfect plant for everyone, but i sure can hope for it! i do wish that i could grow a Zinfandel here but they are not cold hardy enough for my zone 4/5 area. i'm not much of a wine drinker but i do use it for cooking.
