AusBonsai

Hi all,

I was thinking of grafting Japanese maple and JBP and would like to know when is the best time to do it? The purpose of grafting to create more foliage at the lower part of the main truck as it currently a bit bare. Looking forward for some advice

hi
Can you let me know what grating is?

I use approach grafting for maples. It can be done at any time of year but is a bit easier when there are no leaves in the way. With approach grafting you can be a bit less accurate and still get a result because the scion stays alive on its own roots as long as needed until the graft heals up.

I have had JBP grafts take at different times of year but it is usually recommended in winter/ spring. It can be difficult to keep the scions alive long enough to heal up in really hot weather. I have had real difficulty getting successful grafts on older pine trunks because the bark is thick.

rdc wrote:hi
Can you let me know what grating is?

I assume he meant Grafting as Shibui described
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... e=Grafting

Ken

Is there any limit of how many side grafting can be done on one rootstock?

Is there any limit of how many side grafting can be done on one rootstock?

Not sure but you would have to beware of interrupting the entire sap flow to and from the top of the tree. As long as you space the scions enough to leave reasonable bark/ cambium connection between roots and branches it should be possible to put a couple in. Again, approach grafting would probably give you more scope because the cuts in the rootstock are generally narrower so interrupt sap flow less.
I have had up to 7 grafts on a juniper at once but that was one on each branch or trunk to change the foliage variety.