I have a betufolia rootstock, potted from a bare root 1 year ago. It is currently leafing out and the bark is loose. I have been told the cambium layer is the thin green layer right under the bark. However when I lift the loose bark, the green layer is sandwiched between a very thin grey outer bark layer and a thicker light colored inside layer of the bark. Yet instructions for doing a bark graft seem to have the cut scion wood facing the center of the tree trunk with the outside bark covered part of the scion touching the inner bark layer that has lifted up. So I am confused. Is the cambium the green layer inside the bark that lifts up, or is it attached to the hard wood underneath the trunk. This wood has a faint greenish tint but is very light colored. If the cambium is the green layer inside the bark it will not connect with the cambium from the scionwood I insert in the manner of the instructions for a bark graft.
I had planned to cleft graft 2 yakumo pear scions I brought home from the scion fair onto it. The scions are quite slender and the stock is about 5/8" where I intended to graft on to it. However I have been reading that the bark needs to be tight for a cleft graft, and the bark on my betufolia stock is definitely loose. So I was thinking of doing a bark graft instead.
I have already cut off the top of the betufolia rootstock, and my scion wood is in the fridge.
Thank you to anyone who can shed some light as to the best way to accomplish this graft.
Even though the bark is slipping, and you think all the cambial vasculature is on the part that slips off the wood, there is plenty of vasculature left on what appears to be white wood. Just sharpen those scions up and slide them in there! Seal all holes so air cannot dry things out (think kids modeling clay from the dollar store). Cover entire scion with glue if you will. I would.
Maybe put two scions on opposite each other in case one fails. Use only two buds per installed scion.
It will be hard to fail at this, it should work for you. Happy growing!
Sonjand,
If the scions are as small as you describe, a bark graft would likely be the cleanest. And yes, there are cambial cells present against the wood of the stock, so you want the cut portions of your scions to rest against that, not the bark.
A cleft graft would work, only the scions need be dormant; but with slender scions it’s more difficult to align the cambiums …and you’d have the little gap to fill and seal.
Rarely have I done a bark graft on such small stock. Keep in mind… you can also do two whip & tongue grafts along side each other on the rootstock, making sure to align one ‘outside’ edge of each scion to the edge or cambium of the stock… The tongue would make the ‘mechanical connection’ and all you’d need to do is seal it with a band, or …electricians tape, or any other semi-elastic waterproof material.
Back to the bark graft; to secure it/them to the rootstock you’ll need to wrap them tight with something. The same stuff as above should work, though I’d cut a large shipping rubber band in half (resembling a large Budding Band), wrap from the bottom up, wrap back down to tie it off -- then coat it with a sealant of your choice (don’t forget the scion tips), mine being Doc Farwell’s grafting compound (yellow).
Idyllwild
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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