My initial cuts were flush and we'll aligned. I beveled my edges but maybe not enough? Looked like it was doing well until 2 days ago when I saw light through the interface. It looks like the center of the rootstock sunk more than the edges curled up. 2 potentially obvious culprits are I didn't give the rootstock enough time to be actively growing and I put it in front of a fan (I'm in a humid environment and wanted to drive out the bevels). I have more rootstock and I'm planning to just cut a little off the scion and try again, but I'd love to avoid the same mistakes. Any tips or critiques?
by Status_Block591
6 Comments
What did you use to hold the scion down?
Also can’t see soil very well but it looks WET. My guess is the scion was held with way to light of pressure and the soil was to wet causing what looks like a fungal infection…
My guess as to why it didn’t form union is lack of sufficient pressure to hold the scion in place. (Not sure what you used) You dont want to smash it down to the point you cause damage but you want it to have solid evenly distributed pressure on the scion for at least 5-6 days. Something elastic that gives a little so that as the freshly cut surface drys out and curls your scion will be able to stay in good contact. I use pantyhose and/or self adhesive medical wrap, only in rare cases do i use rubber bands. Idk why I just dont like rubber bands.
Other than that just make sure you have iso on hand while making the grafts, keep your knife sterile.
Some might not agree or think it makes a difference but I find that making grafts at the height of my root stocks dryback period makes for a better graft. Especially with micrografts to pereskiopsis. I make my grafts when the rootstock is not actively taking in water, but while scion is plump after a good watering.
Anywho im no expert. Its all trial and error until you find out what works best for you. Make some fresh cuts and try it again. Good luck!
This video helped me immensely! I opt to use rubber bands though. For thicker root stock I use size #117B.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AXYPKAvMuuA
The stock doesn’t look very hydrated prior to grafting and the bevels look like they may not have been low enough.
More pressure
I don’t bevel ever, I just keep longer pressure when I use stock like that. How long did you have pressure? What’s all over the top? Did you sulphur it or something else? I also use small scions which tend to heal faster (2-3 days before I take off bands)