Bench grafting aftercare

[Andrew Pritchard]

Hi, I have looked through old threads but still a bit confused about how to look after my freshly grafted trees. Just planning to have my first go at bench, (kitchen table actually), whip and tounge grafting scions onto 2yr mm106 bare rootstocks. Planning to start this weekend. Only doing about 20 as a first go. Have bought and collected scion wood including some from my favorite roadside trees and it in the fridge with moist kitchen roll sealed in plastic bags. Fairly happy with the actual grafting bit but then it is a bit unclear.

Planning to plant the freshly grafted trees individually in approx 10in pots, with a compost/soil mix, and then put them straight into an unheated greenhouse until tomatoes have to go in in about May. Presumably they will either be growing or a failure by then. Im in SE Wales.

1. I note that some people recommend keeping them at a warmer temp around 20 deg C (60-70 deg F) intially for a few weeks to allow the graft to heal quicker i think. Can this be done in one bucket of compost say in my utility room?
2.Also others recommend keeping moist by covering or out of direct sun to avoid drying out. Will i neec to shade/ shroud the trees in the greenhouse? Nightime temps in the greenhouse are probably 5-10 deg C (40-50F) at present and i can keep frost free if need be by parafin heater.
3. Do i need to keep them well watered or just damp?

[Vince Wakefield]

I heat if the temp is due to be below 0Deg C

I water the pot when I plant the rootstock and then only if it needs it, It won't use much water when there are no leaves and don't think keeping the water logged will do them any good.

I keep the moisture levels up by keeping the ground/paths wet, you will get less evaporation from the pots if the atmosphere is high in moisture.

Worked for me last year

Cheers
Vince

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[David]

Mine do very well just put in the poly tunnel with no heat, this is a very well vented tunnel with mesh sides.

Have had no problems with damage from frost and last year my records say we had a week of -2C lows. I prefer to keep them on the well watered side of things but not flooded.

I was talking to a friend of mine who is a nurseryman by trade and his comment on apple grafting was "just tie a couple of sticks together and they grow without fail". His point being that apples are one of the easier plants to graft successfully. 

I am sure yours will be fine Andrew. Be sure the tips are sealed with either wax or a smear of vaseline to stop the scion drying out and do not disturb the graft once done.