Grafting etc

[Hershell]

[Hershell]

Grafting cart with a box of pecan scion.

[andreas-patras]

Hershell they look sharp enough to split a hair. nice!!!

[Harborseal]

Here are some of Hershell's photos. I started a thread this am and commented on it but it's disappeared.

Bark graft on citrus stump




Whip graft starting to calus




Starting to grow

[Harborseal]

And since they don't all fit in one post...


Trees just grafted



Newly grafted trees and trees from last year being dug





Trees grafted last year

[COGardener]

Those grafting knifes look like they have been worn to the bone. Looks like you got your moneys worth and then some Hershell.

AWESOME!!!!

[Hershell]

The knives were just made this year. I don't make them pretty, just to use. The blade is 5 percent carbide so they are really hard to sharpen but they stay sharp for a long time.

[COGardener]

All i can say is wow.

[strudeldog]

Impressive Hershell,

I have grafted well over a dozen species of plants and really enjoy it, but never in volume. I will say the nut trees I had about the hardest time with. I think the only think I got 0 takes on was Loquat but that was a one time try. Interesting you posted in another thread about always using a knife with bevel on both sides. I just assumed the pro's used a single bevel. I just put in about 10 new pecan trees they came in with questionable roots left. If they don't make it maybe I can speak with you next fall.

[Hershell]

Phil, I don't call myself a pro but I guess by definition I am. I bought one single bevel knife and couldn't use it until I ground the other side. Most grafters that I know use Tina's. I just started making my own about two years ago because they wouldn't hold an edge.

[Hershell]

Phil, I guess you see that the guy I graft for has adequate equipment to dig the trees with. That makes a big difference with the roots.

[FMD]

Hershell, are you planning on doing some fig grafting soon? I so, we would love some how-to photos, or better still, a video. No pressure.

[Hershell]

Yes, I am planning to graft some but It will be my first figs. There are others here that have more experience with figs. I will try to get a few shots as I go along.

[Darkman]

Those are amazing pictures of thousands of pecan trees. I have had the pleasure of seeing these fields and of Hershell grafting. He is a PRO! No doubt about it. Anyone that is paid to Graft in one of the largest pecan tree nurseries anywhere is a PRO. It is amazing to watch him work. He ain't bad grafting citrus either. Any SUGGESTIONS he offers is gospel. Thank you for posting the pics and for the grafting lessons.

If you are in Hershells neck of the woods you should see the pecan fields. They go on forever it seems!

Darkman AKA Charles in Pensacola

[Hershell]

Your welcome Charles. It was a pleasure to have you and Tammy drop buy. And as for the lesson it wasn't much but I hope it will help you out someday.

[drphil69]

Wow, that is a lot of grafting, and some really big trees from last years graft! Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[andreas-patras]

Hershell now that you are going to graft fig trees have you made up your mind on the type of graft? (please dont say bud, i am very bad at that. lol :-)

[Hershell]

No Anderas, I'm not a budder eather. I'm hoping to start with Black Maderia on Celeste Stock. However Harvey is already ahead of me so he should have good results this year.

[cis4elk]

Very nice Hershell! I thought you only built greenhouses, a man of talents. I like how you made the blade short, I would think that really helps with control and makes it a bit less risky. Do you tape your thumb or where some sort of guard, I would think that would be a valuable thing?

[Harborseal]

Hershell, I'd prefer photos with typed instructions to a video. It's easier to see what you're doing and far more efficient both for presenter and audience.

[Hershell]

Bob I'm not that talented. This is really stretching it for me. Remember, you visited once and I was having issues with electronics then.

[Harborseal]

You take the photos and I'll post them. You then quote my post and add captions and descriptions to the photos.

[Hershell]

You make it sound easy. I'm speechless.

[Hershell]

An up to date picture of the grafted stump

[Rewton]

Hershell, do you remove all but one scion after a few months of growth?

[Hershell]

Rewton. Yes, on the large stumps I use 6" shrink rap. After I see buds starting to grow I unwrap most of it but leave a few layers and cut slits to let the top of the scion stick up. A few weeks later I remove all of it. It's better to remove it too late than too soon.

[Hershell]

I miss read that question. No I plan to leave them all. I would rather have a bush than a tree.

[WillsC]

Hershell is fast at those grafts.....on one of my visits he was showing my neighbor how to graft and I looked down to pet his dog, took all of 3 seconds looked back and said "umm Hershell could you do that again" I had missed the entire graft, just that fast.

[Darkman]

Hi Hershell,

I know Citrus are especially susceptable to root rot. At some point as the new trunks merge they will form a bowl in the center. With the high humidity in the green house do you have any worries that water may collect in between the growing scions and start rotting or grow fungus.

[Hershell]

For short term no. Later I can cut one out if need be. Grafting on a large stump is probably not the best to try to get it caulused over but I should get a lot of fruit in the next few years. I'm not really looking at long term like a commercial grower would. It was just an after thought after removing a tree that wasn't productive

[Hershell]

Thanks to a few generous pushers fueling my addiction I made a few more grafts. Bi 39 is among them.

[figherder]

My first time seeing this thread and am in awe. Very nice work. I cant even imagine the amount of work involved in grafting that many acres of trees.

[Hershell]

This is another picture of the citrus stump that was grafted. It's growing fast now.