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Collecting scionwood properly can increase the success rate of grafting. This post will identify the type of wood you are looking for, and why scrutiny is important.
This first photo shows the final product, a length of new growth wood about a foot long (30.48cm).
A good length of scionwood
Getting to this point is as follows:
- Get out there and collect, looking for good healthy material. Avoid any noticeable pathogenic organisms like cankers, fungal bodies, etc. We are after growth from last season only, anything older will likely result in failure. In the following photo, notice the ripples in the bark near the base of this scion which divides this past year’s growth from the previous year’s.
Cut just below dividing line of year 1 and year2 wood
In terms of length, the longer the better. Thickness follows in suit with length generally, but with caliper you will want to look for sizes that accommodate your rootstock size.
The next photo shows a nice branch with 12 inches of new growth. Often this wood is at the periphery, but with strongly pruned trees, candidates are abundant in all areas of the tree. Keep in mind some wood from very low down in seedling trees may be juvenile in nature and should be avoided. These “watersprouts” may take longer to bear, though in grafted trees, which is what we all generally are dealing with, this is less the case. The bottom image shows a poor choice of wood on the tree, having no useable wood at all. This branch has had its tip dieback in the growing season from insect damage, and side growth is composed of fruit spurs. Fruit spurs are not eligible for grafting, as they are less likely to result in shoot-like growth , and the possible blooming will drain the scion of moisture and nutrients (removing the blossoms has not been shown to negate the problem appreciably).
The next image shows a poor choice of wood on the tree, having no useable wood at all. This branch has had its tip dieback in the growing season from insect damage, and side growth is composed of fruit spurs. Fruit spurs are not eligible for grafting, as they are less likely to result in shoot-like growth , and the possible blooming will drain the scion of moisture and nutrients (removing the blossoms has not been shown to negate the problem appreciably).
Here are two examples of wood of poor choice: (ruler in photo is in inches)
The branch on the top is only 2 inches long. Since buds on the distal end (toward the tip) are usually less developed, succulent or prone to cold injury, and since buds on the proximal end (toward the base) are usually small and tardy in growing, this section of wood leaves few bud choices remaining.
The lower example is shorter still, with spurs and spur-like growth without a useable amount of internodal space. The internode is the space between the buds, which becomes important in grafting because it is the area where the cut is made. The longer the cut, the greater the area for cambial contact which increases the chance for a successful graft to be made. (You can find more on this point in the grafting posts).
Poor scion selections
This final image gives us an idea of the minimal caliper and the optimal internodal spacing. In this specimen an oblique cut of nearly an inch can be made for a whip graft. The buds are apparently healthy, without being so protruding as to break off during grafting or transport.
Finally, the timing of gathering will depend on the climate of the area. Here in the northeast of the U.S. we are collecting during pruning time, which is generally from February through May. Ideally, collection like pruning should be attempted after the coldest days have passed but before growth has begun. A point to keep in mind is the closer you can time scion collection to your grafting time the better. Although scionwood can be kept for many months under moist refrigeration, there is less to go awry when storage time is minimized. Collecting scionwood during above freezing temperatures will both be a more comfortable an undertaking, and be kinder to the health of the tree. Collecting too late in the season may allow for scion growth before graft healing has occurred. Scions with buds opening are likely to result in failure.
For more information on actual grafting, please watch our video on English speed graft.
Scionwood Storage
Scionwood must remain turgid (full of moisture), but without being drenched in water. The easiest method is to place them in a zipper or twist tied plastic bag with a few damp paper towels around or beside the wood. Damp means rinsed then wrung out, not dripping. Put the bag in the bottom level of the refrigerator, checking periodically to make sure the towel is damp, and the scions are plump and not molding. They will keep for up to 6 months if payed attention to.
Sending Us Scionwood
If you are mailing scionwood to us for custom grafting, please follow the collection and storage instructions above. Please mail the scionwood as soon as possible after collection. Place the wood in a zipper or twist tied plastic bag with a few damp paper towels around or beside the wood. Damp means rinsed then wrung out, not dripping.
Place the scionwood package in a box or plastic padded envelope and add padding around the bag (i.e. crumpled newspaper is fine) for extra protection.