V and Probably F -- Which Rootstock?

[BigVanVader]

Here is a good PDF on grafting. It has a graph with a timeline that I intend to follow. One thing to note is they recommend 2-5 day wait between rootstock and scion sowings.

https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/pr...techniques.pdf

[JerryL]

Thanks for all the feedback.

[FredB]

Rootstock varieties have tiny seeds and in my experience tend to be sluggish and erratic in germinating, so I would say plant them at least five days earlier than the scions.

[b54red]

Originally Posted by FredB

Rootstock varieties have tiny seeds and in my experience tend to be sluggish and erratic in germinating, so I would say plant them at least five days earlier than the scions.

I'll tell y'all a little secret about the timing of the scion and root stock. Always plant the scion first. I usually wait about a week to 10 days between the two unless it is really warm then 5 to 7 days. The reason is quite simple. If the root stock stem is larger than your scion stem you will be forced to graft very high up on the plant to match the stems. Even if the scion is double the size of your root stock you can usually cut off the top of the scion and match it to the smaller root stock.

It is easiest to do the grafting if all the plants are about the same size but several times I have had the root stock grow much faster and then I had a really hard time finding any small enough to match the scions. One time I had to just cut off the tops of all my root stock and root them for about two weeks in order to get plants small enough. My healing chambers are only about 14 or 15 inches tall and if I graft too high up then I can't put the lid on.

I already have my root stock and scions planted and up for my first grafting attempt and will be starting my next batch of seed in a week or two. Right now my scions are around 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches tall with no true leaves and most of my scions are about and inch tall. When I start grafting my first batch I will pick out all the tallest root stock seedlings for that attempt and continue with that till my next plantings are ready to start grafting.

Bill

[BigVanVader]

Hmm should I be starting my rootstock seeds Bill? My FFD is around April 15th

[b54red]

I would certainly be starting them soon. Grafting can delay your planting day by several weeks or more. The newly grafted plants are sometimes very slow to start growing again and the graft juncture is a weak spot for quiet a while. I like to give grafted plants a longer hardening off process before trying to set them out in the garden.

Bill

[Hoosier]

I was going to try some grafting this year on a few plants to see what the difference might be for me. I am going to be ordering from TGS and they have Estamino, RST-04-106, and Supernatural. I was leaning towards the Supernatural but have really no basis for choosing. I think the disease pressure in the root zone is fairly low here although I have had some strange wilts the last couple of years that were really not explainable by weather. Any advice would be appreciated.

[BigVanVader]

Never tried it but Supernatural sounds like a marketing ploy to me. RST04106 is a proven and reliable rootstock. Remember rootstocks won't help with anthing besides soilborn diseases. I lost 40 plants last year in a matter of weeks from bacterial wilt so I need something I can trust.

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by b54red

I would certainly be starting them soon. Grafting can delay your planting day by several weeks or more. The newly grafted plants are sometimes very slow to start growing again and the graft juncture is a weak spot for quiet a while. I like to give grafted plants a longer hardening off process before trying to set them out in the garden.

Bill

Thanks Bill, when is your plant out date typically?

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Never tried it but Supernatural sounds like a marketing ploy to me. RST04106 is a proven and reliable rootstock. Remember rootstocks won't help with anthing besides soilborn diseases. I lost 40 plants last year in a matter of weeks from bacterial wilt so I need something I can trust.

Thanks for the reply. I think you are right that I should go with a more proven root stock. While I'm not sure about the soil pathogens I know the leaf diseases have been pretty severe even with fungicide. My hope is for more vigorous growth and more fruit before the inevitable or maybe even being able to battle through it a bit longer.

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Hmm should I be starting my rootstock seeds Bill? My FFD is around April 15th

BVV, you mean LFD !
Mine is about the same time ,maybe April 7 ?
I sowed half of my tomato varieties ( 15 of them ) yesterday (1/14/17 ). For March plant out (possibly ) .
But I am not planning on grafting. I will start the rest of my tomatoes around Feb 1st for April plant out. Just testing to see how it will work down here. I have done late March plant out in ATL, GA years ago.
Gardeneer

[BigVanVader]

Oh yeah, I have always said final frost date in my head. Idk why. I guess I better get my seeds going then. I set up my grow rack this week just need to go get fresh potting mix.

Edit: I just checked last year's notes and I started my first round on February 1st. So with the delay from grafting I need to get my butt n gear.

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Oh yeah, I have always said final frost date in my head. Idk why. I guess I better get my seeds going then. I set up my grow rack this week just need to go get fresh potting mix.

I have made my grow rack from 3/4" pvc.
Only 3 sets of double bulb T8 will be hung from it.
light stand.jpg

The floor will accommodated the trays.

[b54red]

My most common first plant out is usually the first or second week of March but sometimes as early as mid February or very rarely as late as the end of April. I go strictly by when my tulip poplar trees start putting on leaves. I sometimes get impatient waiting for the buds to start opening up but I have found it pays to wait.

Bill

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by b54red

My most common first plant out is usually the first or second week of March but sometimes as early as mid February or very rarely as late as the end of April. I go strictly by when my tulip poplar trees start putting on leaves. I sometimes get impatient waiting for the buds to start opening up but I have found it pays to wait.

Bill

Interesting. I will have to see how the Tulip Poplars correspond with my usual plant out date here. I do a lot of my lawn care based on when Redbuds or Dogwoods bloom so I think that should be a good marker.