Just wondered if anyone has done much grafting--specifically, apple varieties? I live in Eastern Colorado, have pretty dry, cold winters, but apples seem to do ok here. Have a friend who has a couple unusual, and probably heirloom variety apples, which we have yet to identify, but they are really good. I'd like to try grafting a couple branches on some of my semi-dwarf apple trees this spring. Any advice? Thanks, Jan

-- Jan in Co (Janice12@aol.com), January 10, 2002

Answers

Hi Jan,check out this site http://freeplants.com/ it should have all the information you want. Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), January 10, 2002.

Thanks for that URL Daryll! I was just looking for a site with information like what that one looks to contain. Think I'll be spending some time on it tonight.

........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), January 10, 2002.

split finger grafting gives you more of a chance for good alignment,a good trick is to dip your scions in raw aloe before placing them together

-- raymond gray (rorlgray@graytv.com), January 10, 2002.

Thanks, everyone! I've never heard of using aloe in grafting-have you done it successfully? I'm certainly going to do some more studying up on it, and give it a try. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), January 10, 2002.

I had pretty much this same situation a couple of years ago. There is a society for preservation of heirloom apples I found in a net search. I contacted them, and they put me in touch with a local guy. He went to the tree with me, we both climbed up for good scion wood, he did the grafting and gave me three trees. I gave him $12 that he had to pay for root stock and a gift certificate to a large nursery in the area for his kind efforts. I now have three trees of my favorite apple. Still don't know what it is. I suggest finding someone with lots of experience to do it for you, and to show you how at the same time. This fellow was more than happy to help - a very enthusiastic apple guy.

-- Laura Rae Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), January 12, 2002.

i have tried grafting for several years and i have found using rubber tape at the graft union sometimes helps.it is very difficult to be successful i have found.I have been trying to save some 100 year old trees.I didnt think there was anyone else out there with the same interest in grafting old apple trees.I hope I can help someone and maybe someone can guide me also. thanks Jim

-- james heinlein (heinle7@AOL.com), March 26, 2002.