Not so much on after care, but really good on lots of different grafting approaches/situations descriptions/drawings-beyond what I think of as the basics. Lends one to think more widely of just how resilient, or I'd say forgiving, these materials just are.
The OSU Extension publication PNW 496 "Propagation of Plants by Grafting and Budding" 20 page Paper Copy will cost you $3.50, I don't see an option for a PDF on this one. https://catalog.extension.oreg.....edu/pnw496
Wetting your grafters appetite; at least until you happen across one of those out-of-print copies of "The Grafters Handbook" R J Garner.
Excellent question, and answer … James listed the same two I’d recommend; one basic, with photos, and cheap; the other ..deep, and delicious 
Aftercare info is hard to find, and particular to individual types of grafts. If there’s any one or two you’re interested in, post your questions here if you’ve trouble finding aftercare advice … I’ve done a lot of messing around and would be happy to describe the process and results 
sweepbjames said
The OSU Extension publication PNW 496 "Propagation of Plants by Grafting and Budding" 20 page Paper Copy will cost you $3.50, I don't see an option for a PDF on this one. https://catalog.extension.oreg.....edu/pnw496
There is a $2.00 PDF version here;
https://pubs.wsu.edu/ListItems.....ord=PNW496
"The Grafter's Handbook" is already on my radar, but getting confirmation that it's worth the effort to find is good to know.
Thanks to everyone for the publication information.
My biggest concern is what to do about the band and sealant covering my newly-grafted apple trees. Two were grafted at the grafting workshop in February, and the rest were grafted in March and April. They are growing in pots and look great. I read that they can be girdled if the materials aren't removed; but if they're removed too soon, the graft can break. If they do need to be removed, then when and how?!
It would be disappointing if I successfully grafted for the first time, then let them die due to ignorance of after care. I'm sure the there are other new grafters with the same concerns. That's one of the many reasons why this forum is valuable, the experienced sharing their knowledge with beginners!
Some go by the rule to cut off the bands after the 4th of July. It's kind of a double celebration. Do it CAREFULLY!
Way more grafts will die from cutting off the bands than from girdling.
I will start to cut some off by about now, but I'm not 100%. I only cut it off if I'm pretty sure I can do it delicately enough that it wont affect the graft.
I gently slice around it. Sometimes I cut into the bark.
Often the tree will just break the band by it's growth.
Surgery is exciting! Even post-surgery.
John S
PDX OR
GH said
My biggest concern is what to do about the band and sealant covering my newly-grafted apple trees. Two were grafted at the grafting workshop in February, and the rest were grafted in March and April. They are growing in pots and look great. I read that they can be girdled if the materials aren't removed; but if they're removed too soon, the graft can break. If they do need to be removed, then when and how?!
It sounds like you used the rubber grafting bands and something like Doc Farwells Graft Seal (pale yellow or maybe pale green). Those should be photodegradable, breaking down in the sunlight.. they'll exhibit signs of aging and cracking, nothing on your part should be required. If other products were used in binding support and sealing results could vary considerably. The 'Parafilm" product is also self degrading and should be showing signs of doing so about now. If one of the parafilm-look-alikes ( usually clear or opaque stretchable tapes) were used they probably will not degrade and you will need to take a sharp knife or razor, utility knife and carefully slice along the stem just through the binding. No need to unwrap at that point, better to leave it alone, the tree will do what's needed. Electrical tape used?, likewise just slice through- don't even try to unwrap!! You'll tear the bark from the cambium.
Early in the process for TOC... some grafts were sooooo heavily gooped with doc farwells that would not even allow degradation. Variously, the grafting rubbers, and even masking tape used as a binding on some of the volunteer grafting output, some girdled, others were caught in time to be sliced.
If need be... slice the binding and leave it at that.
It's definitely time to check the grafts. I tend to be heavy handed with the goop, so maybe that's a lesson for next year.
Grafting has been interesting and rewarding, and I would recommend it to anyone with more than a casual interest in growing fruit trees.
Apple trees sure are resilient - most (maybe all) of my whip and tongue grafts were not pretty, and I was worried that they wouldn't "take". What a joy it was to see green buds, then leaves, on the scions.
For now I plan on sticking to apple grafting. From reading forum conversations, it seems that other fruit trees aren't as forgiving and easy to graft. Other new grafters may be more intrepid; but another round of apple grafting is ok with me. Family members are already putting in requests for apple trees, so I can create new trees without dealing with where to plant them all.
Excellent advice from you both.
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
John S
1 Guest(s)