Hello Everyone,
A few years ago I planted a few seeds of a Black Mission fig; many germinated. I kept two trees which are now multistems, over 5 feet tall, and each trunk just under one inch in diameter. They are grown in pots. The trees, as expected, have not produced at all.

I am thinking of grafting both of them. I have successfully done cleft grafting of apple and plum trees. So I am thinking of using the same technique with the fig trees.

1- when would be a good time to graft fig trees: when sap starts to run or during the summer?
2- do some varieties of figs lead to better success; which of them?
3- I assume that green wood scions would not be suitable, or would they?

Many thanks for your advice.
Marcel

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/search?keywords=grafting&searchin=message&member=&do=findposts&replies=atleast&numreplies=0&daterange=0&custdatefrom=&custdateto=&sort=&order=desc&radio_showas=threads&btnSearch=Search&action=doSearch

Hello Francisco,

Many thanks for your detailed reply. Winter is nasty here but after april 15, the weather is good until early November. Since april 15 I have had 66 days over 21 °C (70 °F) or greater, of which 32 days at temperature of 27 °C (80 °F) or greater. Not like Portugal weather but manageable. Cuttings done this winter of Malta Black, Chicago Hardy, Bisirri #3, Italian Everbearing, Improved Celeste and Petite Negra have grown over 3 feet since mid-april.

Regarding grafting, I am amazed that you found the Extension Service of the University of Minnesota. They have done tremendous work improving apple, pear, peach, plum trees and grapes for cold regions. We have over 50 commercial wineries now because of the University's research on grapes. But unfortunately fig is not a fruit on which they have done any research. The demand for fig growing in Minnesota is non existent. There was only one other member from Minnesota on this forum and she does not have a single plant anymore. I have sent her a PM to offer some of my rooted cuttings to get her started again, but no response yet.

I am glad you think that grafting from green scion could work. In my reading on what is available on grafting on this forum, I had gleaned that some members were grafting during the summer and assumed that they used material from green wood. I should look for some variety that I don't have.

We still have 12 weeks of growing weather; so it would be worth my while to try grafting this summer.

Best wishes for a hefty fig diet this summer! Personnalyy I am looking to possibly a good crop of Petite Negra and a couple of figs each on 4 large cuttings of Malta Black and a Bisirri #3.
Marcel

Hello Tony,

Many thanks for your sending a collection of links on grafting; these are a useful collection. There is indeed a great deal of information on this subject on the F4F Forum. As a trained research scientist, I always look at what has been written on the subject before I venture on a project (research-oriented or not) and so had read much of the info.

What I was aiming at with my post was further information on "summer" grafting, as I came across some very brief mentions of this by a few members. I thought this could be an interesting area to look into. All apple/plum grafting that I have done was of course during early spring, as sap starts flowing.

I shall keep looking.

Cheers,
Marcel

Hello Marcel,

Some info on grafting with green scions (the last message is updated with photos):
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/late-chip-bud-grafting-looking-good-8285805?pid=1297046724#post1297046724

These chip-buds were grafted in late September/early October, but the technique is the same if grafted in June/July/August

Additional info on the chip-budding and whip and tongue techniques. The chip-budding technique is what i use with green scions.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/what-to-do-with-a-small-cutting-best-option-is-grafting-8471345?pid=1296382030

Hello Jaime,

Many thanks for your note and all the information you and Francisco provide in the two links you included.
That has invigorated me. Tomorrow and the next few days I shall practice chip budding and patch-budding on some weedy shrubs found in the neighborhood so that i shall be ready to work on my two rootstock fig tree.

Perhaps I should get a box of bandaids just in case I draw blood during practice!!!

Cheers,
Marcel