Grafting fruit trees with lateral bark grafting or slit technique when you only have thin scions and larger diameter rootstocks or branches can be difficult when using more traditional grafting methods like cleft grafts.
Matching the cambiums can be tricky and you have to use 2 scions to fill the cleft gap and sometimes it isn’t enough leaving a hole in the middle. By using a lateral bark or Slit Grafting method those problems are gone.
Carefully matching cambiums isn’t needed and the top part of the rootstock or grafted branch can be kept, allowing for faster healing and the possibility of preserving the original variety.
Used in spring with dormant scions, on rootstocks or branches of established trees that are breaking bud, this technique should be in every grafter’s arsenal.
Give it a try on plums, peaches, pears, apples, for instance, but it will work on most types of fruit trees.
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Music - KZfaq Audio Library
The Opening - Dan Lebowitz
In the Distance - Dan Lebowitz