AusBonsai

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone has ever done root grafts, I'm looking at taking a donor root of one part of the tree that isn't needed, and moving it to another part of the trunk, there will be no seeding to approach graft, it will be a simple plug.

Just looking for anyone who might have done it before, or anyone with any knowledge of existing threads that it might have been done.

I've tried looking but can't find anything yet.

Hi Biofusion,
I have grafted roots onto a crab apple many years ago. I used something like a side wedge graft (in reverse) - cut a wedge at the top end of the root then open a slit in the trunk where you need the root and slot the 2 together. I'm pretty sure I nailed the grafts to hold them because I could not tape them up. Grafts below ground level do not need to be sealed or taped because they won't dry out like above ground. Cambium will still need to be matched but not quite as critical because both the root and the tree can take up water and will stay alive for quite a while until the graft takes.

what species are you attempting?

Hi biofusion,

I done something similar to what shibui describes on an elm with limited success. I wouldn't say I executed it with any great discipline though. I would imagine if I took some more time with aftercare it could have been more successful. I think it's on here as one of my threads called " my Chinese elm". One graft took out of three.

Cheers

Squizz

What species are you thinking of root grafting?

I have recenlty done some on a Trident maple
Drilled holes thru the tree and poked seedlings up through the holes leaving the roots in the ground.

Ken

Doing it on a fig. Technique is what I thought it was, a fig should be very forgiving

I agree that grafting figs seems to be even eaier than most other species. I remember one of the senior Melbourne growers saying that even if 2 figs were in the same room at the same time they would be likely unite at some stage.