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fruit trees

Drill grafting

Dennis Bangham

pollinator

Posts: 442

Location: Huntsville Alabama (North Alabama), Zone 7B

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posted 9 months ago

Came across a NAFEX site where one of the growers uses a drill bit for grafting. Not a tapered drill but a normal drill bit.
Can start a new branch off the trunk and also do something similar to a cleft grafting as long as there is cambium layers touching.
I am wondering if anyone here has used that method. It seems that this would produce a stronger graft and as long as you drill slow or pre-drill a smaller hole you can prevent overheating the cambium layer.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

Dan Boone

gardener

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Location: Central Oklahoma (zone 7a)

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posted 9 months ago

I have not, and the "consensus of the internet" is sceptical, due to the limited area of cambium contact using this method. However I spent quite a lot of time looking for more information, as it seems like an easier process to implement. The best video I found of one man's actual process (not in English, and not including images of post-grafting success) was here:

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Dennis Bangham

pollinator

Posts: 442

Location: Huntsville Alabama (North Alabama), Zone 7B

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posted 9 months ago

I found the technique at a facebook NAFEX site. The guy does a hole that is normal to the surface for the trunk and also for the top dressing. No angles so there is more contact area on the side graft and about the same as top grafting.
He claims high success rate but has only tried it on chestnuts and persimmons. He mentions it should work on Pears and Apples also.
Worth an experiment since this would make a much stronger graft.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

hans muster

pollinator

Posts: 210

posted 9 months ago

Hi Dennis,
thanks for your tip, I was looking for a grafting technique for when the bark cannot be detached.

I do however not understand your second message. Could you link to the site where the guy does it? Or ask him to post the message here, with pictures?
Thanks

Dennis Bangham

pollinator

Posts: 442

Location: Huntsville Alabama (North Alabama), Zone 7B

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posted 9 months ago

Hans,

I cannot cut the picture from the Facebook NAFEX site. But you can go to posting from "Chilles Chestnuts". NAFEX is North American Fruit Explorers and there should only be one site. Search for his name and he has pictures posted.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

hans muster

pollinator

Posts: 210

posted 9 months ago

https://www.facebook.com/groups/272120753285618/permalink/582310648933292/

Is it this link?

Thanks anyway for sharing the info.

Dennis Bangham

pollinator

Posts: 442

Location: Huntsville Alabama (North Alabama), Zone 7B

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posted 9 months ago

That is his personal facebook page. NAFEX has one also. He provides a lot of details on that one so it is a good place to ask questions. I will be trying this in the winter when I top dress my Elaeagnus with Goumi. I may try to do some Jujube if the root stock gets big enough.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

William Bronson

gardener

Posts: 2559

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio,Price Hill 45205

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