I think thats how they did the franken bonsai-- i'm not sure where i read it, but that was created by grafting.
mike

I have no idea if it could be done that way. My recent grafted plants (and any others I've had) have had the rootstock's stems cut a few inches from the caudex and the scion grafted to the stumps of the rootstock. These were done with a V type graft and the cambium vascular layers lined up then wrapped until the graft is healed. Any new growth originating below the grafts are pinched off.

I waited for replies. Thanks for your interest. Now we are starting to think like growers of some special plants, and we're pushing the envelope outwards. If THEY can grow some "Franken-Bonsai"...so can we! I think.

Yes, the vascular bundles, and xylem and phloem must align and grow together for the graft to "take". What difference does it make where this union takes place? I may be easier to do this on branches, but a caudex is just a super fat branch/stem combination. Everything must be matched, and carefully joined, waxed, taped... Gill...you have not lost your mind. All "new" techniques require abstract thoughts. What stone-age idiot would walk over to a cow and say: "I'm going to drink whatever comes out of those things that are hanging"....See, abstract thoughts might be worth trying.

And, if this plug technique can only be done on a branch, why use a wedge-shaped graft? Why not carefully match the diameters of both, using a modified flat-graft, and create a more acceptable looking graft union, with minimal scaring? I could understand using one technique if you are grafting thousands of plants, but surely, there must be better grafting methods that a hobbyist/small commercial grower can use to create a better looking unions than the hideous, wedge-grafted plants.

I have a feeling that it is just a matter of using some specialized techniques that will make these plugged-in branches take, and grow.

I just started with my Adenium interests, and when I collect a few killable plants, I will try this out and see what happens. If it works, I will let you know why, if it fails, I will let you know why. You'll get the whole enchilada.

Just some brain-food. This is a brand new forum, and it should be a clearing-house for new ideas, if we are going to advance. If we fail, so what? At least we can try.

Frank

I will give it a try

Thread grafting

Frank,

Nice discussion. However, IMHO, the vascular bundles in the above diagram are perpendicular to each other.Don't they have to be aligned in the same direction? For the graft to take hold on the mother plant?

I have never done it so don't really know.

Time will tell.....Thread Grafting Bonsai

It is done Successful with bonsai, maybe with adenium too....Approach Grafting for Bonsai

I saw a video where this thread grafting was done...but not with another potted plant...a branch growing from the same tree was threaded through.

Yes Kadie, but a brach from the same living plant have the same function as a branch from a potted plant and they won`t revolt each other.

I wasn't contesting that...just sharing another threading technique.

i would like to give it a try.

interesting to try: Adenium Grafting under the drill.

I've tried that Stuart. I also tried doing it on the top. All failed, so it will be interesting so see if you have success.

After quite a bit of research on Adenium grafting, unlike other trees; you don't need to line up the cambium and what not for Adenium grafts. That's why you can flat graft a 1/4 inch diameter piece onto a 3 inch diameter branch/trunk.

I just sowed about 100 seeds; so I too plan on doing some experimentation... Fun fun fun!

Rob