strarting rootstock

alabill · February 20, 2014

I've read conflicting info on timing rootstock to be ready for grafting when heirlooms are the right size. Do grafters starts them early? If so, how early?

Stvrob · February 20, 2014

I use hybrid tomato seed for rootstock and plant them the same time as the heirloom. But if you are using one of the special rootsock like Maxifort, I dont really know, they might need a head start?

alabill · February 21, 2014

I started my maxifort rootstock the same time as my heirlooms. They all emerged yesterday (3 day germination with a heating pad underneath) at the same time. The maxiforts look a little thinner but are the same height today. So far so good.

smithmal · February 22, 2014

Depends on the rootstock. Some rootstock emerge faster than your scion variety you're interested in grafting. Some are much slower. I'm using eggplant rootstock for example, and I've read you need to start those a full two weeks before your scion.

smithmal

alabill · February 22, 2014

Interested on why you chose eggplant as a rootstock? I'm new to grafting and I'm finding all sorts of different ways people are choosing to do it.

Stvrob · February 27, 2014

Alabill:
I believe eggplant is used for rootstock when soil drainage is relatively poor. I havent used eggplant for rootstock, but that is what I have read.

kurt · February 23, 2014

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...light=grafting
This was just discussed recently here if you have not read already.Consensus is to stagger scion and rootstock germ/plantings to get the right diameters.I myself have do not graft maters but do graft mangoes,lychees,etc here in FL.We do the "cleft"graft as ChrisK mentioned in the above posts and works the best.More surface area,no slippage and misalignment.Punch in grafting in the search block and you will get years of info posted here(if you have not done already).

February 20, 2014	#1
alabill Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Alabama Posts: 13	strarting rootstock I've read conflicting info on timing rootstock to be ready for grafting when heirlooms are the right size. Do grafters starts them early? If so, how early?

February 23, 2014	#7
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...light=grafting This was just discussed recently here if you have not read already.Consensus is to stagger scion and rootstock germ/plantings to get the right diameters.I myself have do not graft maters but do graft mangoes,lychees,etc here in FL.We do the "cleft"graft as ChrisK mentioned in the above posts and works the best.More surface area,no slippage and misalignment.Punch in grafting in the search block and you will get years of info posted here(if you have not done already). __________________ KURT

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February 20, 2014	#2
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	I use hybrid tomato seed for rootstock and plant them the same time as the heirloom. But if you are using one of the special rootsock like Maxifort, I dont really know, they might need a head start?

February 21, 2014	#3
alabill Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Alabama Posts: 13	I started my maxifort rootstock the same time as my heirlooms. They all emerged yesterday (3 day germination with a heating pad underneath) at the same time. The maxiforts look a little thinner but are the same height today. So far so good.

February 22, 2014	#4
smithmal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sykesville, MD Posts: 42	Depends on the rootstock. Some rootstock emerge faster than your scion variety you're interested in grafting. Some are much slower. I'm using eggplant rootstock for example, and I've read you need to start those a full two weeks before your scion. smithmal

February 27, 2014	#6
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	Alabill: I believe eggplant is used for rootstock when soil drainage is relatively poor. I havent used eggplant for rootstock, but that is what I have read.