182. Update on the whip and tongue grafts from March

(See blog 161 for the original post.)

They all took - 14 out of 14 - amazingly. So much better than the T bud grafts where I was getting less than 10%.

Photo shows the grafted saplings in general; the tallest one on the R is Katy.

The scions were about 3 buds long, and the growing saplings have sprouted 1, 2 or 3 shoots. This suggests how I might use them. For step overs (1 tier espaliers grown about 40 cm horizontally from the ground, both left and right), then 2 shoots are ideal. At this stage they can be tied to canes in a Y shape.

The Y shape is a Jupiter on an MM106,
destined for a step over

For cordons or bush trees, then 1 bud is all that is needed; and both of these can be tied vertically.

Extra buds are pruned to 3 leaves above the basal cluster.

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