Straight from tree to tree works good when you see the scion buds starting to swell a bit. I don't think wrapping the scion in towel is good,..the growth of mold can be enhanced this way. Have the scion's loose in a plastic bag or hard plastic container with a moist piece of paper towel on bottom. You can store them several month. Check about every 2 or 3 weeks,... might need to change out the towel.

Towards the base of any given shoot the buds come out later also. I often graft taking a piece from one tree straight to another after growth starts but I don't want to see green on the scionwood. These later wood grafts are sometimes my most vigorous but I've had wood with buds just beginning to show green- but showing it, that failed.

Well, I am NOT a pro grafter, but have done some m/b work. I topworked an Illinois Everbearing tree (tiny, tiny fruit) a year ago with 3 varieties of other m/b with about 15 cleft grafts that all grew. Regretfully, all 3 kinds produced poor fruit this Spring, so they will also get replaced next Spring with Shangri La.......Here goes a very wordy rendition of the steps. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE TERM "THE ONLY WAY TO GRAFT MULBERRIES". Dormant scions in ref. in bag with moist paper towel until tree begins to grow. Spray graft area on r/s with 91% alcohol. Sanitize knife, pruner, fingers with same. Shave wedge on scion for cleft graft with flat, symmetrical sides and gradual taper of 2" when scion is pencil thick (longer when thicker). Spray water on wedge to keep it wet while slitting r/s. Clip clean cut with minimal bark damage on r/s Use alcohol to re-sanitize blade and fingers and remove debris from scion shaving.Slit r/s branch (3/8" to 1/2" thick)with sharp, thin blade slowly, pushing downward lightly and rocking. Keep cut centered and slice down to at least 2-1/2" for a 2" wedged scion to fit. Quickly blot excess water from scion wedge with facial tissue and gently insert in slot, aligning on one side if scion is thinner than r/s. Wrap graft area with stretched Parafilm. Use 1/4" wide rubber band cut open to spiral wrap(like a barber pole with a space between bands) under tension and thus hold 3 pcs. snug as one pc. Use 1" wide plastic flagging (white or light green) to wrap on top of the band/graft area and tape in place with a strip of Skotch tape. Spray a light coat of acrylic clear coat paint over 100% of the uncovered scion. Make a white plastic sleeve/tent( from a grocery bag) about 2" wide by 8" long to loosely cover the grafted scion. The tent is taped closed on the upper end only and a strip of Skotchtape holds it in place so wind won't remove it. In 2-3 weeks, leaves may begin forming, so remove the tents. In Fall, carefully slice into wrapping over graft and patiently remove the wrapping so as not to tear the tender bark while pulling the Parafilm away from it. There are reasons for these steps and items, however flawed, redundant, unnecessary, and otherwise bothersome they may be. I do not mind. In fact, if I am in a rush, the grafting will just wait until I can do it patiently and thoroughly. If I can wait years for a tree to grow and produce fruit, I can sure wait minutes to finish a graft on it.

Looking good! I find those things interesting as well, Rick. Kirk