A bit about me: I have suffered with this condition for 7 or so years with it getting progressively worse until it has plateaued over the last 3 years, with almost constant geographic tongue - the painful type. I have had extensive patch testing it only showed significant elevation / reaction to house dust. - I have also had bloods taken on numerous (I think 3) occasions, but no signs of apparent deficiency. - I have spent hundreds of hours researching these condition in order obtain some modicum of relief. Trying amongst other things: - amitrypoline - diphenhydramine (swish) - hydrogen peroxide (swish) - bicarbonate of soda - SLS free toothpastes - gluten free diet - dairy free diets - anti candida treatments (medicine and also natural treatments such as Apple cider vinegar etc) - vitamin and mineral supplements, majoring on B12 and folic acid etc - alpha lipoic acid - xylitol - in numerous forms - accupuncture - difflam - steroids either through inhaler (becotide) or paste (trinolone). betamethasone and buccal pellets (hydrocortisone). Steroids had proved to be the most efficacious, in particular hydrocortisone and betamethasone. However, I was having to take them constantly to maintain remission and it exacerbated my dry mouth - caused I think by the geographic tongue. Clearly taking steroids constantly is not a good idea. But... This is where I have finally (I think) made my breakthrough. I have happened on a treatment that seems to have drastically improved my geographic tongue condition (in conjunction with sticking to a largely bensoate free diet). The treatment is called fucoidan, in particular it is the chewable tablets referred to in this piece of research: http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmcr/3/8/8/ I was able to get samples manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo which have had miraculous results, far more effective than the steroid treatment with no side effects as yet - other than some staining of my teeth. However, I was literally devastated to hear yesterday that this product has been discontinued and I am yet to locate a substitute I chewable tablet form. I was advised to perhaps try the power fucoidan in cream form as it has proved efficacious for RAS which seems to have a similar etiology- ref research by the same author: http://www.craniomaxillary.com/article.asp?issn=2278-9588;year=2012;volume=1;issue=2;spage=105;epage=108;aulast=Tsubura 

I find the commercial grafting rubber bands to be extremely helpful (to pull together my amateurish cuts) and find parafilm to be well worth the trouble to find is and its price. The parafilm keeps things moist until grown together and buds can grow through one layer so it doesn't have to be removed. Furthermore it is the easiest to apply as it tends to adhere to itself. I even put it on grafted scions, not just buds.

Mark, I don't have pictures or a link. Here's how I do it. I scrape the loose bark flakes off of where I want to put the graft. I cut a large T in the bark. The top of the T is usually a couple of inches long and the vertical is about 2 to 3 inches long. I peel back the bark to separate the bark from the sapwood. If the scion is cut from a non-dormant tree, cut the leaves off but leave the petioles, like one would make a budstick. If the scion is cut on top as opposed to a tip, then I dip it in wax. The bottom 1 1/2 inches or so of the scion is cut like a whip graft on one side and on the other side the bottom 1/4 of an inch is also cut so that it forms a kind of a wedge. The scion is pressed deeply into the T, with the larger cut side against the sapwood. The graft is then wrapped tightly with polyethylene tape, leaving the top buds of the scion unwrapped. I can usually tell if the graft has taken within 2 weeks. So far, it always has.

Wow, that is some plant. If you could save seed from it, I'd love to grow it. Devil's tongue is one plant I just can't seem to get a good one of so I am hoping seed from a purebread like yours may do the trick. Or if you have any extra you saved from last season, let me know. I'd be happy to trade. I'll be interested in seeing the pics this year. I live in MI so growing a monster plant like that in our region is quite an accomplishment. Chris