I had to cut these back because they were blocking my steps. I’m completely new to grafting, and was planning to use the two top paddles for rootstock to practice with. Would the older ones work too, or should I just stick with top cuttings?
Also, does it look a bit fungally in the second picture or is that normal discoloration?
by GruyereRind
3 Comments
Can but it’s probably going to be a bit rough
I’ve only ever used very young cladodes, so I guess it depends how woody/how much, if any, corking it has, but I think even a mature midsection could form a successful union as long as it is well-lined up, has constant pressure, maximizes surface area and vascular ring overlap, and the rootstock is kept well-hydrated. Large scions like columnar cactus puck grafts are much more likely to be successful, as it takes longer for them to rot and die while waiting to connect its vasculature with the rootstock
I don’t thing they are woody.