Propagation: Propagating/Grafting Roses, 1 by Stake

Stake wrote:
G'Day Billgrubs
Several suggestions on grafting/budding. Get as much info as possible on the conditions and techniques needed for successful grafting. Depts of Agriculture often have pamphlets available and there is a lot of stuff on the Internet.
Other than the knowledge of when to graft and how, the next most important things are the tools. You need a very sharp knife, as close to razor sharpness as possible and good sharpening stones to keep the knife that way. Any knife will do but it is probably easier to buy a grafting knife or knives, there are numerous different types of knives, I suggest you buy a "Budding" knife because you can use that for grafting as well but some grafting knives are not suited to budding.
Another suggestion is to practise the grafting techniques using readily available material, it doesn't matter what type of plant it is as long as it's dispensable.
A good starting point is to cut through a stick or twig using the type of grafting cut that you have chosen, if the cut is not smooth and clean your knife is not sharp enough.
Take the two pieces that you have just cut and place them back together, they will of course fit perfectly, this is what you want to achieve or close to it as possible when you make two cuts from different plants. Practise this until you are satisfied that you have it right then all you have to do is wait for the right time to graft the chosen plants.
To be successful your Rootstock and Scion must be compatible this means they are genetically able to form a union. With your vines the easiest starting point is to take parts from two different plants but the same variety i.e one piece from your "Concord" and the other piece from your neighbours "Concord" or if you like take a scion from the neighbours vine and graft it to your already growing vine. This just tests your ability to graft successfully if you already know the compatibility of your plants then jump this first action. If possible visit your Dept. of Agricuture or local nursery to see them grafting and budding the Dept might even let you have a practise on their plants and then you are ready to start.
Even after 50 plus years I am still learning and I get a great sense of satisfaction when I achieve successful unions and see them grow on to produce flowers and fruit.
Go for it mate and if I can be of any help at all don't hesitate to contact me.
The photo is of a new grape variety that wasn't compatible with its rootstock, at the end of the growing season there were only two alive in that row.
Regards Stake

This message was edited Dec 3, 2008 6:48 PM