I noticed that some of my scions are very dry-looking. Some look almost juicy, and some are in between. Do dried up looking ones still work? I was wondering on some of these if it might be a good idea to soak them in water for a couple of minutes before grafting.
Does anybody do this?
Thanks
john s
pdx or
Is the bark beginning to shrivel? If so, not good… Any scion collected and stored from last winter should still be in excellent shape. But not only do they need to be stored with some damp (not waterlogged) material – they must to be sealed air-tight against our modern moisture-sucking refrigerators.
Personally, I’d never use shriveled, or “dry-looking†scions; they’re dying. Sacrificing a healthy branch (or whatever) to place an iffy scion doesn’t make sense to me.
I don’t think “soaking them†before use will ‘bring them back.’ I’ve met bolder grafters; but to me, I’d rather wait to bud or gather and try again ‘next year’ than chancing the loss of good stock to bad scions 
They are supposed to be last year's growth, correct? When I was doing my volunteer shift at the scion exchange, I was right by the kiwis. While many looked fat and juicy, as I remember my own kiwis growing, some of them looked like old wood. My understanding is that the scions need to be new growth. Right or wrong on that one?
mh
They are supposed to be taken during the dormant period, typically December and January, perhaps early February depending on the species. Definitely after the leaves fall off and before the new green growth of Spring happens. The growth should have been new growth last year, but some, while green inside, looked much drier than others. Thanks for the responses.
John S
PDX OR
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron