CUSTOM BUDDING OF APPLE TREES
We have a limited number of rootstocks reserved for custom budding which are sold on a first come first served basis so please order early. The semi-dwarf rootstock M26 is used for this purpose.If you desire an apple variety that does not appear on our list we may be able to locate the budwood and graft them for you.Perhaps you have an apple tree which you would like to propagate. It may be an heirloom variety , a tree of unknown origin with exceptional fruit, or one from your grandparents farm with nostalgic value. You can collect the budwood according to our directions, ship or deliver it to us and we will propagate it for you.Trees are budded in August, grown the following summer to produce one year whips ready for shipping or pickup the next April.
COLLECTING BUDWOOD
Bud sticks are the terminal shoots that have developed during the current growing season. They should be taken from a vigorous part of the tree. Many older, neglected, unpruned trees produce very little new growth. Spring pruning will help to encourage new growth in the vicinity of the cut. Ideally the sticks are 60 cm. and contain a number of healthy buds, and are of pencil thickness. The buds must be properly matured. At this time the terminal bud on the potential budstick will have set. Lateral, slower growing shoots will mature and set terminal buds earlier than upright ones and sucker or watersprout growth. A further test to determine budstick maturity is to pull downward on a leaf in the middle of the shoot. The leafstem on the mature stick will snap off the shoot cleanly without tearing. Excess irrigation and fertility particularly nitrogen will delay maturity. In our location the budsticks are generally ready for gathering in early August.When the budwood has been gathered remove the leaves to conserve moisture. Keep them moist by immediately wrapping them in several thicknesses of damp paper towel or newspaper. Further wrap in sealed plastic. It is vital that we receive the budsticks as soon as possible. If you are shipping them to us do so at once preferably by priority post or courier. Delay the gathering until you can ship at once. If you are delivering them to us, cool them with freeze packs or other suitable method for transport.
Custom budded apple trees are $15.00 each delivered to you as one year whips.