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Corryton, TN

How do you do it? With both the hole insertion and single cot are you folks cutting the rootstock free and then replanting or just splicing onto the rooted rootstock?

Anyone had luck with the tube graft method?

1/4/2018 1:01:58 PM

The North Coast

Both hole and single cot have done well. Hole is easier because the stems can be different sizes. Cutting the roots off only works with Shintosa and Shintosa stumps blow out for us and nobody uses it anymore.

1/4/2018 1:21:40 PM

NE Arkansas

Jeremy Terry cut the rootstock off and rerooted it on his 290.5. I don't cut the rootstock off its roots.

1/4/2018 2:42:49 PM

The North Coast

Wow. Very cool. I've never had much luck cutting the roots off but it would make things a bunch easier. Never use a rooting hormone however. It will make the watermelon root and get gnarly.

1/4/2018 4:20:22 PM

East Tennessee

2 years ago all my grafts were hole insertion and yes I cut the rootstock from its roots. This past year all were single cot and I did not cut the rootstock from its roots. BTW my first year I did alot of experimenting and every kind of gourd I used for rootstock rerooted after cutting from roots and grew really nice roots in the pots. When you cut the plants from the roots and let them sit for some time they will become more limber,or whatever word is im looking for, and it makes the hole insertion graft a lil easier. Will I do it this way this year? Don’t know yet. Long time till spring and im experimenting and practicing now.

1/4/2018 4:42:58 PM

Home of happy lil plants

Floppy is the word

1/4/2018 6:44:07 PM

Liberty nc

Has anyone ever tried pin grafting?

1/4/2018 6:48:32 PM

East Tennessee

Thanks Spence, floppy is the word

1/4/2018 7:01:39 PM

East Tennessee

I have Andrew. I never had much luck with tube or pin grafting melons to gourds. I have tube grafted some tomatoes successfully. I personally didn’t like the idea of having that pin inside my plant.

1/4/2018 7:05:48 PM

sevierville, Tn

i tried pin(didn't work) Tried to do the tube but graft was poor.

1/4/2018 8:09:00 PM

sevierville, Tn

i always thought that the one cot was easier, but thats coming from a guy who has killed 100% of the hole insertion grafts ! LOL
Got some i'll be trying again in 10 days or so. See if i can get one to live !

1/4/2018 8:11:23 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I left the rootstock intact on my graft attempts.
Cut the scion and let it become “ floppy “.
Then performed a hole insertion graft.
Rootstock was fig leaf gourd.

1/4/2018 8:18:14 PM

Bethlehem CT

Cutting the roots off works fine if you are able to run an intermittent mist on them, while everything is healing.

1/4/2018 8:32:49 PM

Bethlehem CT

No hormone was used.

1/4/2018 8:34:07 PM

Bethlehem CT

Cutting the roots off works fine if you are able to run an intermittent mist on them, while everything is healing.

1/4/2018 8:34:25 PM

Bethlehem CT

Warm soil and warm air are good for getting grafts to take.

1/4/2018 8:34:44 PM

NE Arkansas

I had about the same % live on single cot and hole insertion. Maybe even more on hole insertion.

1/4/2018 8:54:52 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

What temp are y’all keeping your healing chamber? I’m experimenting with single cot this winter and keep mine at 82 the first 3 days. Tried 6 and only one took and it isn’t a solid graft. Got some I might try hole insertion in about a week

1/4/2018 9:14:49 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I would always set my grafts on the top shelf of a hall closet for 5 days.
I take it out of the closet only to give it a little misting then set it back in.
Room temperature.
After 5 days I take it out at night and sit it in an area that is dimly lit.
If it starts looking floppy,I put it back in the closet.
Repeat the process.
When it seems to tolerate low lighting I slowly increase the amount it receives.
Usually have it under the grow lights within a week of coming out of the closet.

1/4/2018 10:11:55 PM

East Tennessee

What I learned after many failed attempts is it about finding the right set up for your healing chamber. After grafting (make sure to keep grafts misted during the process) mine go in chamber at room temp. First 24 hours the chamber is covered with heavy dark blanket. After 24 hours I remove blanket and turn on light above the chamber. After 5 days start cracking the lid slightly to start weaning them from the humidity. As long as they are doing ok open more and more till they are weaned, then remove and place under grow light. I have had to wean some more slowly than others. If they start dropping close em back up for a few days. I float my grafts in a half inch of water or so in my chamber so its pretty much 100% humidity in there. By that I am talking about putting the potted plants in a tray and float it in the water. This has worked for me.

1/4/2018 10:25:56 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

What do you use for a healing chamber ?
I just set the potted plant on a plate in the top of the closet.
Whole process takes me about 10-14 days.
I root clones from tomatoes the same way.

1/4/2018 10:35:06 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

I use a domed seed starting tray.

1/5/2018 5:25:19 AM

sevierville, Tn

i use a clear plastic tote (clear lid) for healing.
I can see in.
Put a light on top.
Maintain 100% humidity with some misting and water on the bottom.

1/5/2018 6:44:17 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

You guys are really convincing me to try a graft this year.
My luck,it won’t make it a month.

1/5/2018 7:40:28 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

How long are you keeping your grafts in complete darkness. My first attempt I did 48 hours, none took. 2nd attempt 72 hours and 1 took. I think I am not leaving them in complete humidity long enough after I remove them from my dark temperature controlled chamber.

1/5/2018 8:29:50 AM

Liberty nc

24 hours darkness.

1/5/2018 8:54:49 AM

NE Arkansas

Yep 24 hrs darkness 100% humidity, then 5 days 100% humidity under the light

1/5/2018 9:02:12 AM

Liberty nc

An it’s all done in the same chamber. I do mine pretty much the same way as Jermey terry I just don’t do the floating part. I wonder if he has Floaty’s

1/5/2018 9:08:56 AM

Liberty nc

An it’s all done in the same chamber. I do mine pretty much the same way as Jermey terry I just don’t do the floating part. I wonder if he has Floaty’s

1/5/2018 9:14:52 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

Seems like an easy way to maintain 100% humidity for small numbers of plants would be to use a large ziploc bag

1/5/2018 9:25:46 AM

Approach grafting you may not need healing chamber

1/5/2018 9:59:43 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

That is right Frank. I used that method last year and it worked well. Not sure why more don’t use it for the small number of grafts we do. A little more labor but almost 100% successful.

1/5/2018 10:19:50 AM

East Tennessee

Esheel, my chamber is same as what Chris said, clear plastic tote with a clear lid that seals good.

1/5/2018 10:46:04 AM

East Tennessee

Im sure zip lock bags could work. I did close to 30 plants last year so the tote makes the whole process nice and easy. I can get all my plants in it, cover it easy for the 24 hours of darkness, and so on.

1/5/2018 10:51:08 AM

East Tennessee

TURGENT!!! Thats the word I was looking for Spencer lol. Cutting the rootstock from its roots allows it to become less turgent and helps to prevent splitting when making a hole insertion graft.

1/5/2018 11:00:30 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

I like floppy better

1/5/2018 11:44:49 AM

The North Coast

Great work jsterry. Good info on cutting the roots off with the gourds. I failed a few times when I tried. I used rockwool as the medium though. Sounds like you used regular potting soil. That right?

1/5/2018 2:00:18 PM

The North Coast

Turgor pressure keeps cells inflated and allows a plant to stand upright. When it's cut it becomes less turgid or it looses turgidity.
Sorry, now you're spot on.

1/5/2018 2:09:11 PM

sevierville, Tn

floppy fits Spence better !

1/5/2018 2:26:35 PM

sevierville, Tn

here is the formula:
graft.
put in 100% humidity.
dark for 24 hours.
then light but still 100% humidity.
remove clips if used at day 4
day 7 start to reduce humidity and open chamber slow.
day 9 they should be back to normal conditions and ready to go.

1/5/2018 2:41:14 PM

East Tennessee

Yes sir, regular potting soil.

1/5/2018 2:54:27 PM

NE Arkansas

Here's my formula
Graft
100% humidity in dark (planting tray with tall clear dome) for 24 hrs
100% humidity under light (planting tray with tall clear dome) for 4 days
Day 5 move under light w/o humidity for 1 hr (if starts to wilt down move back in humidity for 24 hrs and repeat) if it doesn't wilt I up pot from 3" peat pot to 1 gal pot and move to t5 light

1/5/2018 3:19:09 PM

NE Arkansas

I also mist whenever I can thru out the process

1/5/2018 3:20:23 PM

NE Arkansas

My tray domes have a place where I can open to reduce humidity but I stager my plants for later weigh offs so I always have plants at different stages of healing so I use the 2 tray method.

1/5/2018 3:23:55 PM

NE Arkansas

My grow room is also about 70-75° and the heat mats are supposed to raise the temp 10-12°. I don't use a temp gage in my trays only in my germ chamber

1/5/2018 3:26:52 PM

NE Arkansas

Gauge*

1/5/2018 3:27:22 PM

sevierville, Tn

what does "cutting the roots off the rootstock" do for the grafting process ?

1/5/2018 3:54:57 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

Good question Chris. The only thing I have understood on it is it allows the turgidity of the rootstock to soften which reduces splitting in the hole insertion grafting process.

1/5/2018 4:30:33 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

What do use to make your hole ?
I’ve always used bamboo skewers for grilling

1/5/2018 5:52:46 PM

The North Coast

Grafting is typically done in a commercial setting. Cutting the roots off allows for maximization within the planting tray during healing. That's the only advantage besides the floppiness.

1/5/2018 6:03:23 PM

sevierville, Tn

so no benefit to the plant by removing the rootstock roots, just a space saver besides the floppiness.

1/5/2018 6:52:01 PM

East Tennessee

Soldering tool esheel but skewer works too.

1/6/2018 10:37:14 AM

East Tennessee

Chris, I don’t know if it makes any difference. I started trying it because of splitting a few and having to use clips to hold em together. They healed fine but to me weren’t very good looking grafts. Once I tried cutting em loose I found it was much easier to graft without splitting the rootstock. Doing it this way also seems to slow the plants down during the healing process which could help form stronger graft unions (maybe). Everyone’s question for me was “doesn’t cutting the rootstock from its roots defeat the purpose?”. If we had compared rootballs at planting time I think you would have been impressed with the roots on my grafts.

1/6/2018 10:50:19 AM

NE Arkansas

Terry just admit you want to own a watermelon farm!

1/6/2018 2:24:22 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

Anybody ever try to use Luffa as a rootstock?

1/8/2018 11:30:02 AM

Bethlehem CT

I bet luffa would be a good one.

1/9/2018 8:16:20 PM

Manitowoc

I found a really interesting grafting report from 1927. With regards to watermelons and certain fasarium wilt issues and other things for better disease resistance. Sooo I'm going to try it this year. I have to wait for my seeds to sprout now. I love science lol

4/30/2018 9:22:02 PM