Ricky: "There was a member that wanted to know if black tape was better than the rubbers for grafts. The answer is YES! The black electric tape grafts were consistently better."

...Yikes! We go round & round about electrical tape vs. rubber (grafting bands), and you shouldn't get us started... ...But since you did, here's my take: First, I was one of those grafters; second, I don't remember doing that many trees - unless we 'split yours up.' If so, there were at least 4 of us - busy as could be - so who knows who did the 'band grafts.' Personally, it's more the initial graft than it is the wrap. We've got members that swear by masking tape!

Now I've not used the soft black electrical tape, and wouldn't use the brittle stuff on a whip & tongue graft; but don't badmouth the Bands... They are state of the art, and have more benefits than I may even list - so I won't. But if you're back again this year for more, bring in those no-goes; just pot em up and I'd be happy to rework what's left. Now, I can't give a prediction till I've seen the patient(s) - but I would give it my best effort - as we all do. {now 'we' do it for free ... but the powers-that-be may charge a[nother] fee ~}

I like your enthusiasm - now which HOS Office are you interested in holding..?

"If I can get it together before spring - I wanna try several varieties of fruiting banana and other 'marginals' here."

--- I live a bit further up the Tualatin River, and witnessed it dip to 5 degrees one year, then 6 the next (about 20 years ago)! But I've always admired a palm tree in the yard of a home in Forest Grove; every year they tie it up, enclose it with a wire cage, then pack the cage full of neighborhood leaves until Spring. Seems to work! My Uncle's messing around with Bananas near Redland, east of Oregon City, at about 700 feet - so far - so good! They're non-fruiting, so most likely hardier? But what an amazingly exotic (for around here) plant!

So you want a Mentor... so did I, that's one of the reasons, about 20 years ago, I joined the Home Orchard Society. Just get / stay involved, they're all over the place!

Rick: "Sorry to stirr the black tape debate up!"

Ha ha ---so far, no problem. I think it's more of just working with whatever you've become familiar with. Being a seasonal activity, I find myself sorting through my gear about this time of year in anticipation of the bench-grafting for HOS. Rather than head off to find some soft-black electricians tape (for instance), I just grab another handful of the lifetime supply of grafting bands (I was required to buy as a 'minimum' purchase from the supplier) ... and start wrapping spliced (whip & tongue) pruning pieces for practice. I'm considering bringing my oldest Daughter to wrap for me this year - she's got it down, even did a magnificent report on 'Grafting' in 6th grade last year... Guess I've I created another 'Band Grafter!'

Your "hardy passiflora" selection looks marvelous; but I've got an on going problem - and the same old question: do deer like them? I met a local 'exotic flower' grower / shipper from Gales Creek, my second year of grafting at the HOS event. He asked if I'd graft some additional varieties of apple onto his espaliered trees? I did; he was pleased, and wanted to give me something for my effort. Maybe I foolishly consider this just a 'Hobby,' and I must force myself to except compensation ... but he insisted I take home an assortment of his most prized flowering bulbs, so I did. He claimed that Deer had never bothered any of them at his farm. I placed them all in 6 giant matching pots, dug in near our house. The Deer loved them! Right down to the their nibs... Unless I can train something up a trellis (requiring yet another trellis), hang it within a flower pot off a deck, suspend it in the air, or look at it within a chicken-wire fence - I don't do flowers... Believe it or not, I've come to 'envy' you with City Lots ... lacking Deer ~

"As for the grafts that did not take - they are still healthy and in pots and can be traded for something else if somebody is interested."

So, you'd be offering potted Plum Rootstock for trade? Just so the recipient knows what(?) they're getting... (rootstock)

"If you don't mind... I will post in the forum when we have our plant / yard sale."

I don't mind! But then I'm not in control around here... Plus, including directions, I'd like to know - and maybe check out your orchard...

"I have visited Clackamas Comm Coll and the garden for a short visit. When I was 'a kid' I had a job helping to create the original garden including the 'underwater observatory' that may or may not still exist."

You mean the HOS Arboretum? I remember adding my two-cents to the decision as to where 'we'd' locate it; all those years ago... I'd hoped it would end up over here, on the West Side, so I could (realistically) help. As it is, I rarely get over to check it out. I did offer my pruning services last spring; after working at the grafting classes at the collage. Had a blast! Finally met Karen (we're lucky to have her), and she, me. I just asked her for whatever nobody else wanted to prune ... and got it! What a beautiful day, and view of Mt. Hood! There seemed a steady stream of Mason Bee purchasers, that was nice to see; and it's always nice to stroll through the maturing trees and vines of our Arboretum, working or not. As far as the "underwater observatory" - you'd have to explain that to me - I haven't heard of it?

Glad to hear you're a "Kid" that's grown into another 'Adult' Nuts about Fruit! I'm doing my best to infect a couple with that same affliction - but hauling armloads of pruning debris to our growing burn pile is a tough sell!