Fig Grafting Fun

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starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453061792	Reply with quote #1

I did a bunch of fig grafts last year onto my mature(ish) trees. Most of the grafts are alive, or at least not obviously dead. A few are just starting to turn the buds green. But there are two that I am very excited about that are pushing very early. First: Jason's Unknown Black Ischia. Got this one from dfoster25 (thanks!) and it is pushing great! The new growth is very red. I have another cutting that I am rooting and it has a little red tinge, but not this vibrant. This one is grafted to my Panache. Second: Ronde de Bordeaux. This is a chuckle (mostly for me) because I grafted this RdB onto my VdB (yuk, yuk). I am surprised it took because it is such an ugly bud graft. But it is definitely pushing! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1453061982	Reply with quote #2

Congrats! Grafting is always fun (especially when successful). There are quite a few posts here on this topic. Good luck with the babies! __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453062256	Reply with quote #3

Thanks greenfig! Yeah, I have had lots of grafting success (and lots more failures). I have seen the posts on the fig grafting and most notably the Frankenfig, which seemed to be mostly built by chip budding. __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1453063818	Reply with quote #4

Awesome job Starch! I would LOVE to try my hand at grafting this year too.. I feel all kinds of mad scientist thoughts coming on now lol! Can you recommend any good threads or videos that explain the "how to's" and what not? I'm also wondering when would be a good time to give grafting a try? Are we too early just yet? Anyways.. Just want to say you did a great job and have inspired me :) __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

efletche

Registered:1446357594
Posts: 35

Posted 1453064920	Reply with quote #5

I think you did a great job. I am still in the early novice stage of just trying to get cuttings to root, but grafting looks like it would be interesting and fun. One step at a time!! __________________ Central Florida, Zone 9 Wanted: Malta Black, Panache, Col de Dame Rimada, anything really sweet and juicy (fig wise)

Jerry_M

Registered:1427223807
Posts: 344

Posted 1453065780	Reply with quote #6

It's always a joy reading about grafting figs. Thanks __________________ Jerry Canyon Lake, TX 8b Wanted: Cajun Gold, Louisiana Honey, Schar Israel-114 grams

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453078971	Reply with quote #7

Quote: Originally Posted by Jamie0507 Awesome job Starch! I would LOVE to try my hand at grafting this year too.. I feel all kinds of mad scientist thoughts coming on now lol! Can you recommend any good threads or videos that explain the "how to's" and what not? I'm also wondering when would be a good time to give grafting a try? Are we too early just yet? Anyways.. Just want to say you did a great job and have inspired me :) Thanks Jamie! Yeah, grafting is lots of fun. I have been grafting citrus, avocados, mangoes, stone fruits, etc. for a couple years now and so this fall I thought: "why not figs?". They are actually easy to graft. So it is a good way to either do a canopy change (top work) if you have a mature tree or if you want to try a bunch of varieties in a limited space (multigrafting) which is what I am interested in. For figs, it looks like both cleft grafting and chip budding are both viable options. Do a google video search for those terms and you will find tons of instructional videos! As far timing goes, you are in 6A which is definitely too early. You want the tree to be waking up and to just about to start pushing buds. So when you see the buds swell but not break yet, that is the perfect time because the tree is pushing a lot of energy through the canopy and the chances of your graft taking is much better. Thanks! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453079038	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by efletche I think you did a great job. I am still in the early novice stage of just trying to get cuttings to root, but grafting looks like it would be interesting and fun. One step at a time!! Thanks efletche! Yes, grafting really is fun :) __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453079071	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by Jerry_M It's always a joy reading about grafting figs. Thanks Thanks Jerry! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

SuperMario1

Registered:1441853363
Posts: 441

Posted 1453080889	Reply with quote #10

Very cool stuff. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important: YOUR FAVORITE FIG. A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453089450	Reply with quote #11

Thanks Mario! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1453091124	Reply with quote #12

Quote: Originally Posted by starch Quote: Originally Posted by Jamie0507 Awesome job Starch! I would LOVE to try my hand at grafting this year too.. I feel all kinds of mad scientist thoughts coming on now lol! Can you recommend any good threads or videos that explain the "how to's" and what not? I'm also wondering when would be a good time to give grafting a try? Are we too early just yet? Anyways.. Just want to say you did a great job and have inspired me :) Thanks Jamie! Yeah, grafting is lots of fun. I have been grafting citrus, avocados, mangoes, stone fruits, etc. for a couple years now and so this fall I thought: "why not figs?". They are actually easy to graft. So it is a good way to either do a canopy change (top work) if you have a mature tree or if you want to try a bunch of varieties in a limited space (multigrafting) which is what I am interested in. For figs, it looks like both cleft grafting and chip budding are both viable options. Do a google video search for those terms and you will find tons of instructional videos! As far timing goes, you are in 6A which is definitely too early. You want the tree to be waking up and to just about to start pushing buds. So when you see the buds swell but not break yet, that is the perfect time because the tree is pushing a lot of energy through the canopy and the chances of your graft taking is much better. Thanks! Thank you for all that great info Starch! I am excited to plug those terms (cleft grafting & chip budding) into google search & begin to get myself educated now so I can be ready to go by early spring (I can hardly wait!). I'm sure I will need to order a few grafting supplies as well in order to be prepared so I'm really glad you've inspired me ahead of time.. Otherwise I may haved jumped in like Edward Scissorhands without a clue! Lol I admit.. Im the type haha! I do have one more mature tree that is about 6ft tall, so maybe that will be a good one to start with :) Thanks again for your detailed response, it sounds like you've got all kinds of good ole mad scientist projects going on! Please continue to keep us posted on your "Frankenfiggies" as they begin to wake up! I'm sure that will be very soon down there in Chandler! __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453092035	Reply with quote #13

Definitely Jamie! You should definitely pick up: - Grafting knife (I have Victorinox) that is beveled on one edge for clean straight cuts - Either Parafilm or Buddy Tape to wrap the scion to prevent desiccation before the graft union heals - Grafting Tape. I like the green florist tape. It is just a little bit stretchy and you can pull the graft union tight but the stretchiness prevents it from being too tight - Some sort of label to mark the graft (I just use a sharpie to write on the Parafilm. Then after the graft takes I will use something more permanent to ID it) Definitely practice with common varieties first (nothing rare) so that you get the hang of it. Your first grafts will be maybe a 50% take rate. But as you get good at making straight cuts on the rootstock and the scion, get good at matching calipers and lining up the cambium, etc. you will get 80%+ take rates. Just keep practicing to get the feel for it. Have fun! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1453426157	Reply with quote #14

Starch, your graft looks great! This will b a new venture for me. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453436818	Reply with quote #15

Thanks Smyfigs! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1453485461	Reply with quote #16

Grafting is one skill I have not tried. Every year I say I try and I forget! I applaud those who have mastered this craft! One day I will make an attempt to start grafting. Great job Starch! Are your trees indoors for the winter? __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453486983	Reply with quote #17

Thanks Dennis! Nope trees are all outdoors. The low in my yard this was winter was 27 F. __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

npolaske

Registered:1450880215
Posts: 30

Posted 1453493024	Reply with quote #18

Can you give some specifics on how you performed the cleft graft? This seems like a really good option for those of us that have relatively mature trees. Personally, I have a few Brown Turkeys that have a ~2" trunk I would like to cut down to about 3-4" above the soil line and cleft graft in some different varieties. __________________ --Nate Oracle, AZ USDA Zone 8a

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453496329	Reply with quote #19

Hey Nate! So cleft grafting is done when your rootstock (doesn't have to be a trunk, could be a branch) and scion are the same diameter. In this case you cut / decapitate the rootstock and then on the face of the cut end, take your grafting knife down the center (so that looking at the cut end you will have two semi-circles) about 1" or so. This is the 'cleft' that you will be grafting into. Then on the scion, take your pruners and cut off the bottom 1/8" so that you are working with only fresh wood. Then slice off two angled pieces (each one on opposite sides) so that the back of the scion tapers down to a point. This cut is also ~1" long. This 'wedge' on the scion inserts into the 'cleft' on the rootstock. And this is where it is important for the scions to be the same diameter. Because you are making cambium contact between the rootstock and scion on all of these cut surfaces (you will be making cambium contact along 4 lines). If for some reason you misjudged the diameters but already make the cuts, then push the scion to one side of the rootstock so that you have cambium contact along two lines. Then wrap the joint with grafting tape (I like the green florist tape, slightly stretchy) to compress the rootstock flaps against the scion. NOTE: for best results make your cuts as straight / flat as possible. If your cuts are 'wavy', then there won't be good cambium contact and the graft won't heal). NOTE: wrap your scion with parafilm / buddy tape before hand to prevent dessication while graft heals. NOTE: NEVER touch the exposed cambium with your bare hands. Skin oils are phytotoxic and will prevent graft healing. So make your cut and hold the scion somewhere above the cut surface when you place onto roostock. In cases where you don't have a diameter match (i.e. 2" dia rootstock and 1/4" dia scion), then you have to do a different approach. You could do a veneer graft. In this case you make a single cut on the scion (nice and flat and straight). Then you make a matching cut on the rootstock. You are trying to make it the same width as the cut on the scion. But here is the trick: The scion is a smaller diameter. So you make a deeper cut on the scion and you make a shallow cut on the rootstock to get the same width. Be mindful of this. If you do this right, then the exposed cambium on the rootsock and scion line up on both sides of the cut (contact along two lines). If it doesn't, then bias the scion onto the rootstock so that you have contact only along one line. Then wrap with grafting tape to hold scion in place on root stock. Another option for diameter mismatch is chip budding. And for figs, I like this much better than a veneer graft (veneer graft works better for mangoes and avocados). Because with your scion, there are likely 3+ fig buds and this gives you 3 chances for a grafting take, instead of just one. So cut your buds off the scion, leave a bit of bark all around the bud. If you are good at this you can pick up the bud without touching the cambium and postion it (takes lots of practice). But if you are trying it for the first time, wear some sterile latex gloves in case you touch the exposed cambium. Then make a cut on the roostock to match the bud shape. Hold the bud to the rootstock and wrap. The other advantage to this approach is that you could select a height on the trunk where you want your buds to take. Then chip bud semi-equally along the circumference (i.e. spaced roughly 120 deg apart). This way, if they all take, you will have a tree with the cultivar you want (you could remove anything above the grafts after the grafts take) that is now topworked with three future desired-cultivar scaffold branch locations. I will try to take some picture of other fig grafts on my trees so you can see some more examples. __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

npolaske

Registered:1450880215
Posts: 30

Posted 1453497560	Reply with quote #20

Excellent detail! Thanks very much! __________________ --Nate Oracle, AZ USDA Zone 8a

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453501175	Reply with quote #21

No problem Nate! Here are some more fig graft pics as promised CdDB onto an Ischia rootsock. You can see the buds are swelling but have not yet broken through RdB onto Celeste Figo Branca chip bud onto Panache (trunk painted white) unk Carini chip bud onto Black Jack Mare de Deu cleft graft onto Black Jack Mary Lane chip bud onto Black Jack __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

smatthew

Registered:1423266323
Posts: 180

Posted 1453504150	Reply with quote #22

Here's a suggestion I picked up while trimming scions at Prusch Park. Once the graft takes, paint a big stripe all the way around the branch. That way you'll know where the new variety starts. __________________ Blackberry & Fig Farmer in East Bay San Francisco - Sunol. Wanted (4): Emalyn's Purple, IT-258, Pastiliere and Milco Caprifig.

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453505824	Reply with quote #23

Nice idea! I was just labeling them with tree tags after the graft takes. But a painted branch would make it very obvious. Thanks for the tip! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

raimeiken

Registered:1444708117
Posts: 29

Posted 1453507692	Reply with quote #24

good stuff starch! I plan on doing the same very soon here. What month did you do the graft? I plan on grafting a lot of varieties onto one tree. __________________ Peoria, AZ 9b

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453509754	Reply with quote #25

Thanks raimeiken! I did most of them last October, and then I did a few more last week. __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

Vladis

Registered:1390659900
Posts: 352

Posted 1453547847	Reply with quote #26

Grafting in winter you can do at home. In the spring seedling will be planted in the garden in the ground. __________________ Зона 8Б ,Туапсе, Россия.

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453557607	Reply with quote #27

Looks great Vladis! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1453560055	Reply with quote #28

These pics are just amazing.. Starch you are very descriptive and detailed which is so helpful, especially for those of us who are newbies to grafting (or just newbies in general lol) ! I vote Starch should make a grafting video! Yay! __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453562978	Reply with quote #29

Thanks Jamie, glad it is useful! I might make a video, that is not a bad idea. But in the meantime, these descriptions + existing grafting videos on the web will definitely give you enough info to get started! __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

aaa

Registered:1377344072
Posts: 75

Posted 1453586206	Reply with quote #30

hi starch i hope im wrong for your sake but id be very surprised if that rdb in your first post has taken. grafts should heal in the first couple of months so you should be able to take the tape off and check, bud is likely to just fall off. __________________ aaa

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453589387	Reply with quote #31

Hi aaa, That might be the case. And if it is I have a couple of other RdB grafts (and some cuttings rooting) to cover my bases. __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

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