Apple Grafting Results So Far. 7.9.22

 This year I only did three grafts.  That was in March.  The scion was from Maine, varieties that are historic or disease resistant.

The first was the disease resistant variety "Freedom".  Freedom was released by the New York Ag Experiment Station in Geneva, in 1958.  It is multiple disease resistant.

Here is how the graft looks now.  It has healed nicely.  The leaves had an aphid infestation and are sad looking, but I think that is over.

Today I pruned a lot of new growth on the lower tree, including any new growth occurring below the graft.  I also pruned the graft to make it make branches for the espalier arms.

This was the graft when I did it.  I'm using Freedom for the top two tiers of a four-tier espalier.  The lower two are the red flesh RedLove Odysso. (TM)  It was a difficult graft.  The wood was very hard, my knife was dull, and I wasn't doing well at the time.  Still, apple trees are resilient, I had it wrapped tightly, and it took.

The second on was a graft of the ancient, historic variety "Blue Pearmain", on another red flesh espalier "RedLove Era" (TM).  I don't think Era is turning out that well, but the Blue Pearmain might give me something to look forward to.  Again, the intent is top two tiers will be "Blue Pearmain", bottom two will be the red flesh variety.

That graft was similar to the first, except I was able to do a Whip and Tongue graft this time, which I like better.  This one took too.  I also pruned this one to force branching and remove some competing growth from the understock.

The last one was the variety "Mutsu".  I had a rootstock that had survived a lot of neglect and mistreatment, and I used that.  The rootstock was the variety "Geneva 222", a highly dwarfing type.  So far, it's still in a plant container.  The scion was tiny and flimsy.  I was only able to match up the cambium on one side.

Here is the Mutsu now.  Only the side with matching cambium has healed so far.  But, if that side healed, it's promising that so will the other side later.  This tree will need a lot of TLC.  For one thing, it needs to go on the drip line, for consistent watering.

The bad side

The good side

A Zucchini and a Saffron Summer Squash. 7.9.22

 The first Costata romanesca Zucchini, and the first Saffron Summer Squash, but today.

Pawpaws, Persimmons, Plums, Peaches. 7.9.22

 Those little pawpaws continue to swell.

The persimmons are beginning to swell, too.

Lots of plums this year.

Genetic Dwarf Peach, Garden Gold

"Figcam". 7.9.22

 Not a live cam, just photo updates.

Desert King.

Lattarula.  Not only are the early summer ("Breba") figs continuing to grow, but buds are growing for the fall ("Main Crop") figs.  I counted about 50 figs on this tree.

Yes those sneaky, evil, mean, ravenous yellow jackets have been sending out scouts.   Back at the nest, the platoon is asking ("Where are Bob, and Steve, and Fernando?  They've been gone to two days").  Maybe I should put out more traps.  I don't like killing things, but yellow jackets are vicious and not only have stung me but also Rufus.  And they occupy and destroy every fig on the tree, if not trapped first.

Petite aubique.  Or as I call Monsieur Heartbreak" because he promises the most tasty, delicious figs, then they all too often ripen too late and become moldy during fall rains.  Will Monsieur Heartbreak break my heart again this year? 

Chestnut Trees Blooming. 7.9.22

 I planted these about six years ago.  From a distance, only the male flowers are visible.  They have a musty scent.

Here the female flowers are visible in closeup.