Successful Juniper Scion Grafts

[Tidal Bonsai]

In the early spring I wanted to practice my grafting on junipers, so I took this nursery Parsons and put five kishu grafts on the tree. This is my first time grafting solo, so I was very happy to report that one of them took!


About two to three months ago, I decided to replace some that died with Kishu approach grafts. They are growing well, but I am unsure when they are ready to sever. I am thinking at the end of next season, but any help will be appreciated!


July 7th
Today

 

[leatherback]

Congrats!

 

[0soyoung]

So, ...

Congratulations on your success.

It appears that you did not bag or wrap the free-scion's foliage --> right/wrong?
But, rather that listing all 100 questions, I would appreciate it if you would describe how you went about making your grafts, free-scion and approach. This would be the value of your sharing, IMHO.

I am in the running to be the world's worst free-scion grafter. Very few successes despite multiple attempts with multiple species. I did have one freak success with JWP on lodgepole this past year. It (and some prior failures) possibly indicates that I am leaving the scion foliage wrapped up in Parafilm for too long. Maybe I keep too much foliage on the scion too. I dunno.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

So, ...

Congratulations on your success.

It appears that you did not bag or wrap the free-scion's foliage --> right/wrong?
But, rather that listing all 100 questions, I would appreciate it if you would describe how you went about making your grafts, free-scion and approach. This would be the value of your sharing, IMHO.

I am in the running to be the world's worst free-scion grafter. Very few successes despite multiple attempts with multiple species. I did have one freak success with JWP on lodgepole this past year. It (and some prior failures) possibly indicates that I am leaving the scion foliage wrapped up in Parafilm for too long. Maybe I keep too much foliage on the scion too. I dunno.

Sure, NP! I used the technique of doing a cocoon free-scion graft as Ryan Neil has demonstrated on YouTube and Bonsai Mirai. I made a few mistakes:

1. I grafted on St. Patricks Day 2020...I was about three pints of Guiness in, and listening to Dropkick Murphy’s covid concert on YouTube. I am sure I would have better success on a different day...
2. Around a month or two in, I noticed one graft turning brown. I immediately panicked and opened up all the “cocoons” 100%
3. Some of the ones that failed didn't seem to be deep enough.
4. Some of the ones that failed got water in the graft union. I made a small tent out of duct tape to help with this for the approach grafts.
3. The tiniest grafts were the ones that made it! Don't go crazy with big pieces of foliage, it's too much for the brand new graft to support.

 

[0soyoung]

Two or three very valuable points, you've given me.

1. three pints of Guiness (I always waited until after doing the work!)
2. the tiniest grafts were the ones that made it.

Seriously, thank you.


btw, I'm wondering if the Butthole Surfers would do as well as the Dropkick Murphys

 

[leatherback]

St. Patricks Day

crucial information. This is not something celebrated in most places..:
March 17 - Saint Patrick's Day