Hello,
I was sent here by the OSU Master Gardeners since they didn't have a great answer for where to find root stock to do a graft. My parents have an old winter apple tree on their place in Washington Co. I wish to take a graft for myself as they planted the tree 45 years ago and have no idea what type of tree it is. (But it makes just the best bright red, crunchy, and tart apples) I know from reading the forum it might be a bit late in the winter to do this, but I'd like to try this year anyway as I figure it could take me a year or two to figure out how to graft a tree correctly.
I live just south of Portland but am happy to make a long drive if that's what is needed to find the correct root stock.
Thanks so much!
Angele
You might be interested in my mail order of rooted malus geneva-30. I pre-paid a small pack of these and upon learning recently that my grafting project may not work with what I want to graft on these (nashi pear/malus winter-banana interstem) I could release one to you at my cost of one.
Private message me.
Thanks.
Angele
I would collect the scion now, package in zip lock freezer bag and keep in fridge until grafting. I have done that.
For rootstock you can check, maybe call some nurseries for availability. One Green World is local and probably has some. I have also bought from Raintree and Burnt Ridge. By doing that, you can choose the rootstock you want - dwarf, semidwarf, full size. These run around $6 per rootstock but I have not checked this year. I am mostly using Bud-9 lately which makes for dwarf trees,
If all else fails, you can buy a bareroot apple tree fir a but more. BiMart had them last year for something like $12. Then cut the top off and graft your scion there. I have done that too.
As long as it's kept cold, your scion should last a few months in a freezer zip lock bag in the fridge. That's what I do with mine. I use freezer bag because they have heavy plastic sides.
Good luck
Daniel
Skipley in Snohomish does mail order rootstocks for apple and pear. Email him for availability as his online list is not necessarily up to date.
Zone 6a in the moraines of eastern Connecticut.
You could look at the Home Orchard Education Center work shop list, there are a couple of upcoming grafting dates still open. That might be something that works for you. I’m thinking could bring your scions and learn grafting techniques, and acquire rootstock all in one fell swoop. I don’t know the particulars of what’s available for rootstock, you’d want to check with the HOEC before committing in any event. I am familiar with Tonia’s presentation and hands on teaching style. I am pretty sure you won’t be disappointed if it works for you to make it to the Oregon City area.
Here’s a link: https://www.homeorchardeducati...../workshops
One Green World in Portland has rootstock (link below). You can order online and pick up in person. They are also inexpensive ($3.50) or the same price as as many mail order nurseries. I bought some from Raintree Nursery two weeks ago and am still waiting for them to ship. But then again, I shouldn't be grafting until March so maybe they are looking out for me! Also, One Green World is a dangerous place, put your blinders on after you park or you will be very tempted to buy more than rootstocks!
Here are a few places I looked to get scionwood for this year. Hopefully next year we can get the Home Orchard's old orchard involved and/or restart the scion fair.
I ended up getting two favs: Buerre Superfin and Colette from this place:
https://fruitwoodnursery.com/f.....-scionwood
More pear:
http://maplevalleyorchards.com.....scionwood/
Here is one with lots of apple and pear scions:
I've ordered from fruitwoodnursery the past 2 years. They come through both times. I've also ordered scion from Burnt Ridge Nursery a couple of times including this year. You can order from their website. I called them today, and was told they're out cutting scions now.
Jafar,
Thanks for the info on Burnt Ridge. Just ordered 4 scions to try on my plum tree. The tree is about to blossom, but from what I understand that should not be an issue. Will use a more traditional branch graft.