grafting question

[jferrier]

One of my bonsai books states grafts must go in the same direction as the tree trunk or branch its being grafted to. So if this is so, a seedling used to graft on with the apex pointing downwards could not be grafted to a trunk with the apex pointing upwards. But last week I saw an image online where someone was attempting to do it this way. Anyone know if this does or does not work?

 

[garywood]

J. I'm having a hard time trying to imagine why or where a seedling would be used upside down with the roots in the air. I might be misunderstanding your question. If you are asking if the scion can be grafted on a trunk "up-side-down". Then the answer is yes. I do it and it's a fairly common graft on pines.

 

[jferrier]

Thanks

J. I'm having a hard time trying to imagine why or where a seedling would be used upside down with the roots in the air. I might be misunderstanding your question. If you are asking if the scion can be grafted on a trunk "up-side-down". Then the answer is yes. I do it and it's a fairly common graft on pines.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, I was wondering if the scion could be grafted upside down. I have a JBP needing a new branch and bending the seedling over so that the apex faces down would orient the new branch downward rather than upwards.

 

[Stan Kengai]

I believe what they're saying is that the base of the scion must be grafted in its original orientation. For example: In a cleft graft, the bottom of the scion must be inserted into the root stock. In a bark graft, the heel of the scion must maintain its original orientation with the bottom of the heel down. Which way the the branch/trunk of the scion faces makes not difference, it's the base of the scion that matters.