Helen Tudway-Cains

How about learning natural building?  Does that appeal to you? I want to learn cob, straw bale,etc. I love the feel to the buildings and the look.

Paul, I'm very sorry to hear of your unexpected guest. I am glad your path is serving you well. I am not in a position to offer on site support. Instead I am just sending you all my best wishes, for you to have the full support that you require to make a full recovery.  Blessings on the healing journey.

Thanks for the reply Douglas. Well the Plum variety I want to graft on, is from a very old (at the tale end of it's life) Tree. I don't know if I'll get too many chances (or years) left to save this family variety. I will try multiple options to see what is successful. I don't want to risk it all on a previously diseased tree as root stock.

I am certainly no expert, but what I do know is anytime you add meat, your canning process changes and has to be super thorough. I would make sure any canning recipes you follow, should be from reputable sources and should also be a meat based sauce. Good luck!

Hi Folks
I have a Green Gage plum tree that has (mostly) succumbed to Black Knot Fungus. I have reluctantly decided to cut it down. There is a new side shoot growing out from the root stock and I was wondering if I could graft a new variety of yellow plum (don't know the exact variety) onto it, once the main stem of the tree is gone.
However, someone suggested to me that the root stock may already be affected. Not sure how I would tell.

Does anyone have this level of experience with Plum trees, root stock or Black Knot?  

Perhaps it's not a good idea to put a new plum in the same location as the old one. ...but it seemed a good idea to make use of the root stock since I need some for the yellow plum anyhow.

My understanding is that Peach leaf curl can happen when leaves get wet. A fungal disease. that can lead to defoliation and stop fruit growth. The usual removal and disposal of all diseased leaves, being careful to dispose of ones that have fallen on the ground is important. I have had good results in knocking it back with an anti-fungal essential oil spray. The recipe varies a bit, but Essential oil of Oregano, Thyme, Cloves and Tea Tree can also be helpful. Adding Neem oil wouldn't hurt. I just put about 30 drops (some of each) in a litre spray bottle, shake it up and spray on the remaining leaves, stem and the soil.  Like I said, I have had good results with this, but I am still having some return of it each spring. I just try to treat it asap.  There is probably cheaper methods than essential oils, and maybe Neem would be sufficient on it's own.

I've had great success with replanting Leeks. I really like the white blanched portion of Leeks, so I only cut off the smallest amount of stalk with the root-much less than in your photos. Like maybe 3/8 of an inch. It depends on the Leek, it needs to have some of the white. I then put the root in a glass of water on the window sill and watch for the top (white part) to sprout green leaf, changing the water daily. Then I plant it outdoors. I have re-grown full Leeks this way. Sometimes they just go to seed, or rot, but more often than not, I get a full sized Leek.

Wow, my whole gardening Life, I thought you couldn't eat Carrot tops. Just learned something new.

That Celery looks like it grows a full new stalk? Does it get full size?

I was intending to watch that very video. Thanks for sharing.    My only concern with using larger log pieces is the nitrogen it requires to break down the carbon.  Larger tree branches contain a higher carbon to nitrogen ratio, and could pull Nitrogen from the surrounding soil.  Smaller branches have lower Carbon to Nitrogen ratio so won't require as much Nitrogen to break down.  Clearly it hasn't hurt James plants any.   For me,  and I'll be working on this same project soon, if I use larger pieces I think I'll make sure to add Nitrogen rich souces too.  Mostly urine, which should counteract any Nitrogen loss.  I  am planning to pack last fall's rotting apples, food scraps,  leaves, and garden prunings around any wood or branches before I add soil/compost on top to plant into. I intend to use the leaves and drier materials to create space-oxygen space, so the apples and food scraps don't get anaerobic.  That's the plan anyhow. Raspberry & Bosenberry will be planted on top. Hope it works.