Another stupid grafting question...

[FMD]

The cambium is located on the inner part of the bark, correct?
Cambium to cambium contact is what makes grafting successful, correct?
So... where is the cambium to cambium contact in bud grafting?

In the attached photo for example, where does the cambium to cambium contact occur?

[cis4elk]

Not a stupid question, but a good one. Here is how I perceive that answer. The tree heals the wound with callus which then becomes organized/vascular and bridges the cambium(s).

[jmaler]

Good question. One I have wondered about, also.

I read about folks scraping the white wood when girddling a branch for an air layer to remove the cambium so as not heal thus avoiding the formation of roots.

I have also seen photos of buds cut from limbs that included a portion of white wood. The white wood was then carefully removed from the bud before placing the bud on the root stock.

Hopefully someone can explain.

[AscPete]

When you remove the Phloem (white wood) from the bud you are left with the bud surrounded by Cambium on one side and Bark on the other.

When inserted into the T the bud's (scion's) Cambium makes contact with the root stock's Phloem and Cambium. The squared cut at the top of the T also makes Cambium contact.

On some Bark grafts the cambiums contacts are aligned at the vertical cuts instead of the horizontal or top of the T

[FMD]

That's a good thought Calvin. I would think then, that this grafting method would be less successful than those with greater amounts of cambium to cambium contact.

[AscPete]

Same question I had asked myself....

The answer once I started practicing grafting cuts is that the entire back side of the bud and the perimeter are Cambium contact points for the scion. While the underside of the bark and the top of the T on the root stock for standard or inverted T-Bud grafts create the contact points.

On a Chip bud graft the bottom cut is the primary contact point, but the entire perimeter in contact is the goal.

[FMD]

Thanks for the explanation. If so, would it not be wise to scrape off the surface of the bark of the scion exposing the cambium for better contact with the rootstock's cambium?

[greenfig]

That is a suggestion they give while grafting the citrus trees, to scrape off the wood under a bud.

[Taverna78]

Cugino.... A question is only stupid if is not asked capise? Is why is called "question" okay...,