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GROWING ROOTSTOCK FOR GRAFTING Plant selection: In my opinion I find ‘Ruth Wilcock’ is the best wood to graft with. There are many different sorts of wood that can be used, however I find that ‘Ruth Wilcock’ to be the best. Branch selection: When your root plant has grown enough and you start cutting wood off it to graft, select wood from last years new canes, straight and about little finger thick. Always make sure to d-leaf the branches straight away, because if you don’t it draws the sap out of the wood. It is always better to stand them in a bucket with about one inch of water in the bottom; this method helps a great deal. If, however, you are not going to use them for a week or so, wrap them up in a damp paper and put them in the bottom of the fridge, and they will be good for a couple of weeks. Cutting the root stock: When you start cutting your root stock to length, roughly about six or seven inches long, always try and get four eyes or nodes, this method helps to give you a better strike.
Potting the root stock: When potting your root stock it is always better to use a small pot to start them off. I always like using a round 2 inch pot, this way they seem to grow their roots quicker. (Don’t use a 6 inch pot; you won’t get the same results) I recommend the potting mix to be: 3 parts course river sand, one part peat moss and one part perlite. In about 14 weeks your Root Stock should be ready for grafting.
Brian Baills |
