Our Bellingen Seedsaver's Workshop, December 2011

Matt provided us with a fascinating and informative workshop demonstrating the skills he once applied regularly in his nursery experience. Thanks Matt.

Click all pics to enlarge.

Here we can see a T bud from a Tamarillo that has been applied to a Wild Tobacco plant. Matt says he has successfully grafted these two plants in the past the Tamarillo benefiting from the Wild Tobacco's root vigour.

Taking a bud.

Another T bud in place. Matt demonstrated that sticky tape could be used to hold the bud in place.

Matt prefers a veneer bud. In this example Matt demonstrated with an Avocado bud and a Camphor Laurel branch. Are they compatible? It's worth a try says Matt. Plants of the same genus are generally compatible. (Note: An internet search indicates such grafts are not successful.)

Matt mixes sphagnum moss and potting mix to create a suitable medium for the marcot (air layer).

The air layering medium, once placed on the plastic shopping bag, is wrapped around the prepared area on the limb to be layered.

This Gardenia has been prepared for marcotting. An area of an extending branch had the surface bark scarred/scuffed, down to the cambium layer. A cut was made, 1/2 to 3/4 through the underside of the branch and a small stone was inserted to prevent healing.  A spot on the branch with plenty of callus (Parenchyma) and therefore rich in the hormone (Auxine) that encourages root production, was chosen for the aerial layer. Clear tape was then wrapped around all places that might allow air (or ants) to enter the marcot. The marcots will be ready for taking in a few months.

Our workshop was held at Nell's. Her garden is rich in plant material that suits our local coastal climate including 27 year old citrus. Nell's block is usually frost free and faces north.










More pics. These were taken by Jeff.

Nell has mature coffee plants

A T bud graft

A veneer graft

Taking a bud for the graft

Wrapping the graft. Matt used sticky tape. The actual bud is left exposed.

A veneer bud graft before wrapping

Placing the veneer graft

The prepared stock for the veneer bud graft

Preparing the veneer graft stock

A well wrapped marcot (air layer) in place.

The host plant is a thriving Feijoa

Wrapping a marcot.

Using tape to make the marcot air and ant proof

The prepared site for the marcot

Nell's fruit and vegetable garden with a Paw Paw in the foreground

More of Nell's garden with Comfrey in the foreground