Question about grafting onto unconventional rootstocks...
Laura LaRosa (7b)
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (46)
pip313
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agojohnmerr
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Grafting "fruit stem" onto rootstock
Comments (1)He could graft them in but if they don't have leaf buds they won't grow. It would be a dead end. You need sections of scion with at least one leaf bud. I graft in a longer scion with at least two nodes containing leaf buds. After the graft is secure it can be shortened but you can't make it longer. What you suggest is just practice and difficult at that with such a short stem....See MoreGrafting onto an established rootstock
Comments (4)The advantage is your rootstock will be less susceptible to soil issues (water, pathogens), and may promote some increased precociousness in getting your tree to maturity, but most of that is determined by your scion (cultivar) reaching a mature node count. That count is different for every citrus cultivar, and I don't have any resources that delineate what the particular node count is. So, time is required to get a citrus tree to maturity in order to produce. Your seedlings look great, and I probably would give grafting a try if you can sacrifice one branch. Personally, I wouldn't sacrifice an entire tree. Citrus grafting is a bit tricky and in the beginning, you may have a low success rate. But, if you can spare a branch and do some slip grafting, then it might be worth a try. There are some extremely good examples of how to top work graft a citrus tree on the Citrus Grower's Forum you can check out (you'll need to join, first.) Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: Citrus Grower's Forum...See MoreQuestion about rootstock, hardiness and tolerances
Comments (14)Will, I think it's best to consider the needs of the roots and tops of the plant separately. The USDA zone rating is a rough geuss but as you know, with so many other factors coming into play as well (wind, wet soil, on and on...) Here's an interesting example from the same webpage you quoted from above: "Cedrus atlantica, brevifolia, and libani are all grafted onto Cedrus deodara, the least hardy of the three. There are several reasons for this choice. The hardiness is not a factor since the deodara root system in the ground is at least as hardy as any Cedrus cultivar above ground. Secondly, the root system is more fibrous and better developed than in the other species making it a much better choice for nursery use." In this example, the top is least hardy, but the roots are most hardy, and the species is the preferred understock. I geuss this all gets at your fourth question to illustrate that you cannot make a plant "more hardy" by choice of rootstock, unless the limiting factor is the hardiness of the roots (not the top) in the first place. I geuss others already made this point more concisely - just wanted to add my two cents and what I thought was an interesting and illuminating example. Alex...See MoreA Question About Rootstock
Comments (12)David, I'm wrong. Let me begin there. I'll be brief but I had it in my mind that lasiocarpa grew in dry air & high elevations where it was cool (cool temps the only thing I was correct about) and that the soils were rock, sand, and "not good." I also thought it grew quick. Add it the zone 2 aspect and that's what I was thinking. I also thought it's native habitat had little to no rainfall, again, I'm wrong. Abies koreana...... way off, again. I thought it came from hot, humid, and good soils with humidity (humidity I'm right) but it's also an "alpine" fir. I didn't know all this. All the discussion I read here about heat tolerance of Abies koreana put the wrong image in my mind. I should be reading more than "guessing." Plain and simple. And add that I thought lasiocarpa grew fast (nope!) and Koreana slower, I thought the combo of genes would make for a great, universal, rootstock. ----- Severn- I found out that alba & nordmann are typical for Europe. Previously, many years ago - I asked Clement what he used and that's why I posted x koreocarpa. I've learned a lot since then in an email from Clement. Clement explained that Abies x koreocarpa is new and that not many Europeans are using it, in fact it's alba and nordmann that is used and I won't go into a long speech about it. Clement dabbles in a lot of different rootstocks but he likes korean at times and other times alba, nordmann and x koreocarpa. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, David. Dax...See MoreSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
6 years agoDave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoevdesert 9B Indio, CA
6 years agoKen "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)
6 years agopip313
6 years agoVladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
6 years agosunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoDave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agobklyn citrus (zone 7B)
6 years agoKen "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)
6 years agojadegarden2
6 years agobklyn citrus (zone 7B)
6 years agobklyn citrus (zone 7B)
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
6 years agojadegarden2
6 years agoTropical Paradise
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoPacNorWreck
6 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
6 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
6 years agoVladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
6 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
6 years agosunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years agoSusanne Michigan Zone 5/6
6 years agoubro
6 years agoMonyet
6 years agosunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
6 years agoubro
6 years agoMonyet
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoVladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
6 years agoMonyet
6 years ago
Related Stories
ARCHITECTUREThe Truth About 'Simple' Modern Details
They may look less costly and easier to create, but modern reveals, slab doors and more require an exacting hand
Full StoryARCHITECTUREDo These Surprising Contemporary Exteriors Hint at the Future?
Unconventional homes may someday be commonplace, thanks to more building choices than ever before
Full StoryDECORATING STYLESGypsy in Your Soul: 10 Steps to a Bohemian Bedroom
If your inner boho is clamoring to be released, feed your fantasies in a gorgeously unconventional bedroom
Full StoryWORLD OF DESIGNTrends: Create a Cozy Bedroom With a ‘Sleeping Box’
Designers share why the unconventional sleep spaces are the perfect solution for these 4 homes
Full StoryLATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALSArchitect Erick Mikiten on Why Universal Design Matters
The California architect and universal design expert talks about meeting client needs and going beyond building codes
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSHow to Grow Your Own European and Asian Pears
Try these trees for their good looks, delicious fruit and wide range of sizes — plus you can espalier them
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSHow to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden
Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit
Full StoryEVENTSOn Show: Weird, Wondrous Science Meets Design
Houses grown, not built. Power-generating soil. And snail poop that ... well, see for yourself in our coverage of a new Rotterdam exhibit
Full StoryBASEMENTSDesign Workshop: Is It Time to Let Basements Become Extinct?
Costly and often unnecessary, basements may become obsolete — if they aren’t already. Here are responses to every reason to keep them around
Full StoryWINDOW TREATMENTSCurtain Speech
Learn the basic terms for parts and styles of draperies and curtains to get the look you want
Full Story
Laura LaRosa (7b)Original Author