grafting fruit trees

I've tried my hand at grafting (apricot onto peach, lime on citrus) without success. I used the bud graft method and was assured it would work but no luck. Does anyone know the right way to graft?
I'm at a loss!!!

Did you do T bud grafting? I have had good success with the T bud graft but it’s more to do with the time of the year when the bark will slip.
Here’s a few good links

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/citrus/budding/budding.htm
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1146.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSuoq_MiKBk&mode=related&search=

Thanks for the links, oldude. I did it identical to that first link but maybe the time of year does have something to do with it. I thought the bark slipped but who knows, I haven't had much experience with this kind of propegation. Would you know when that best time would be? I've read somewhere that it's the early part of summer but is that in warmer climate's summer? or does it matter?
My dad used to graft fruit trees and was very successful with it. I should have paid closer attention. I'm going to wait until I have better candidates for the graft itself and try it again.
Many thanks,
Sal

This message was edited Jul 11, 2008 9:50 AM

I don’t know about Peach but for Citrus, it’s in the spring when you see the host tree in active growth, the bark will be slipping. If you are past the chance of frost it should be a good time.
The best branches for T-bud are the most vigorous water sprout type, 1/4" to pencil sized diameter.
Oldude

Thanks dude. Right now all of my citrus are actively growing. What the heck, I'll try it now and experiment. Maybe I'll get lucky. I'll first see if the bark "slips" some, if not I'll hold off.

Thanks,
Sal

You might try a whip graft. It is easy to do and here in our area of So. CA. it is the prefered method for most of the home fruit growers I know. I have done most of mine in the fall and the graft buds out in the spring along with the rest of the tree. We usually do citrus in about April or May. The most important thing seems to be getting good scion wood and keeping it moist, not wet until the grafting is completed. One of our most prolific grafting instructors holds the prepared scion wood in his mouth until he is ready to put the two parts of a whip graft together. He does the same thing when bud grafting a cut off stump.

interesting! I'll it a shot.

thanks