When growing grafted trees it is very important to remember one care tip that will ultimately safe the health of your tree, And that is pruning. Not just pruning the top either, but instead pruning the rootstock growth! This is a very importsnt step and one that cannot be underestimated.
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Hey Luke, off topic but I noticed that you font sell seed potatoes. Do you have a supplier that you would recommend?
Okay… Thank you so much! I had to compost 2 lemons and I do have a 50 ft crabapple where I swore I planted a dwarf apple. Holy COW! How have I been gardening this long and not know this??? Thank you so very much! (That crabapple is staying, though, the birds just love it.)
Even the bible mentions grafting
When planting a grafted tree it is also important to plant it above the graft so it doesn't encourage the growth of the rootstock to produce new growth..
Feel free to correct me since I haven’t thoroughly thought this through. But….. couldn’t this be avoided for us if instead of buying cuttings grafted on to rootstock….we bought cutting from those trees that were then rooted?
So for instance I have been taking cuttings (propagating)from bushes and trees I like and sticking them in the ground or water to root and then they produce the same as that branch on that tree produced. Why do we wait for them to graft onto a bunch of rootstocks instead of taking cuttings from one that has been grown on rootstock to have only that which you want and not the potential for original root.
I may be wrong and the root stock trait might not work through cuttings?
I guess I’ll find out in about 3 years.
How do you tell if a tree (or any plant) is grafted, or not, if there is no obvious, easily visible, graft? I'm hesitant to dig in the ground around the main trunk or stem and possibly damage the tree. Also, is there any way to find out what the root stock is?
Hi Luke! I have quite a few dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees in our suburban yard, less than 1/4 acre total. I have always trimmed the shoots, but I also want to keep the top of the tree shorter and the width even smaller, so I have tried lopping off several feet from those areas. Could you share any tips about that? Thank you.
Grafting was one of my favourite topics to learn about in my high school agriculture class, such a fascinating process!
Luke that's weird but funny at the same time I guess I have never thought of It like that before
thank you for explaining so well. All my fruit trees, except my chicago fig, are dwarf. now I understand how they were created.
Use those branches for a bean trellis in the spring.
Would love to see a grafting series! I hope you will be able to do that!
Your video is great information as always! I now know why I lost this exact tree… my dwarf willow was completely overtaken by the root stock and it still grows to this day… but isn't nearly as beautiful as that willow would've been!
I loved that you demonstrated the size of the sucker, haha!! My family is looking at buying a home with a giant bush/tree with what looks like tiny peaches or apricots all dropped on the floor. I’m going to take a better look at it next time we’re there. Thanks for your help as always!
I have a dwarf nectarine and dua cherry tree. First year, both got the growth coming out from lower part of the tree. I chopped them both off, unluckily, the cherry tree died. That was 3 years ago. This summer, got my first nectarine fruits, roughly 20, should have thin it out a little more, tiny semi bitter/sweet fruits, ripen on tree before I pick to eat. Such satisfaction. I also have a fig tree, the golden honey variety? White inside, only 2 fruits, most delicious figs I ever tasted. Can’t wait for next year, I got plans for it. It was meant to be a bonsai, so I ignore it, for 3 yrs. This summer, I repotted it in a bigger pot, and it decided to fruit, only 2 survived. My patio is small, and space is premium. Every time I turn I knock off a fig by accident.
M looking for a dwarf asian pear tree. Tallest would be 5ft. So far so bad.
Thanks! I have a White Willow that I will prune according to your instructions. I plan to use the bendable branches in garden projects.
You should really work on your thumbnails
I have an apple sapling grown from seed doing this. I thought it was just grafted trees, but apparently not!
I planted a dwarf red haven. The following year I tore my rotator cuff in the spring 2018. The following years I had multi major surgeries so my garden was very neglected. This year was my first year able to garden and 3/4 of the red haven was sucker growth that I didnt realize until the 1/4 actual red haven was ripening. I got a good laugh and learned a lot in the process. I now know how to prevent it with my new trees.
Hi, a question. are you the guy from Larry's orchids?
Great video love your channel, thanks
My fruit trees are 3 years old and I need to do this. I will go back to the 86 year old fruit grower. All the leaves are off now. Merry Christmas. God Bless and stay safe.
I have a grafter Meyer lemon in zone 6 that blossoms late fall when it’s brought indoors for winterizing never fertilized no fruit why. Thanks
Thanks. I have a regular willow tree and I prune the lower branches off of it too. I use the pruned branches to start more willows. So easy. Just put them in a bucket until they grow roots. I give them away to people. I love the way they grow so fast. Another great fast-growing tree I have is a eucalyptus. And they are gorgeous! Unfortunately bark beetles killed two of my large blue spruce trees. I would love it if you ever did a video about how to stop them. I think it's too late for my spruce trees though. They are dying from the top down.
That plant has had its whole life hijacked by the willow
I would love a grafting series for the spring!
Doesn't matter if I'm not growing whatever the subject of your video is. No knowledge is wasted. It's fun to learn new things. And if I ever do grow those things, I'll know I can come back to these videos for guidance. Thank you!