Replanting Ginkgo Graft Question

I just received a new grafted ginkgo in the mail and the instructions advise me to plant it with the graft union 1/2-1 inch covered in soil. Do you agree? I have some grafts from last year but just planted them to the top of the root system. I'm not sure.

thanks

They probably are encouraging you to plant deep in order to develop adventitious roots on the scion. This is done sometimes with trees that don't graft well, so that if the graft union fails the scion already will have its own roots. I don't know if Ginkgo falls into that category.

Guy S.

Thanks!

I'd recommend not to bury as prescribed, rather to plant it (pot or ground) to the level the understock is currently situated at. (Don't bury it any lower than how the plant appears in the pot currently).

That's an old practice and should be avoided. I don't know any growers who recommend this technique any longer. Instead, check the root system on the understock and correct any tangled roots, etc, and if needed, give it a haircut to provide for better root production this year. Just a light haircut...

Enjoy your new Ginkgo.

Regards,

Dax

This Ginkgo is actually from Daves Nursery so now I'm confused :)~~~ Check out the website and click on planting instructions to see their diagram. Thanks again.

This message was edited May 18, 2006 8:24 AM

This message was edited May 18, 2006 8:29 AM

Hello Todd,

Generally speaking the advise that comes from the garden web site is probably true because they are giving advice on grafts that are normally grafted about 4" above the pot. So if that was to be planted below the surface than it probably would die. Now the graft you received from me is the old European way and it is grafted about 1" above the pot. By covering the graft you insure a stronger plant because the weak portion is below the surface, also the union will be sending out roots from the callous and this will also make for a stronger plants. This method of grafting is widely sought after by bonsai growers so that they eventually will be able to grow plants in a bonsai pot without seeing the graft. I am 8th generation and this is the way that we have been doing it for the last 50 years that I know of.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I will be more than happy to let you know what I know.

Dave.

Thanks Dave! It's done. I do have one other question though (well maybe 2)...

On this plant, there is a branch coming out where it would be right at the soil line per your instruction. Should I remove it?

Also, have you seen the parent plant to this Ginkgo? If so, how pronounced is the "twist". I'm a ginkgo collector and glad I ran across this one. I can already see it's different.

Leave the branch on because that is coming out of the scion (cutting) of the graft. I also want to say, which I failed to mention before, by grafting this low to the crown of the root will also diminish the chances of sucker shoots, which are branches that come out of the root stock. These branches if seen should be gently removed.

I have a larger plant maybe 3', and the twist is very pronounced.


Dave.

Thanks again.

Very good!