Anyone ever try layering to hide the graft?

[QuintinBonsai]

Say for instance, you purchase a tree, but it has that big ugly graft on the trunk. Would it be wise to air, or ground layer it? I have a grafted apple tree that I am currently trying to air-layer above it's graft. I'm trying a cup of soil wrapped around the trunk instead of the usual sphagnum moss and bag method. So far so good.

I've also heard people say that the JWP does not do well on it's own roots. Why is this? And if so, how do JWPs in the wild make it?

 

[iant]

I think JWP does fine on it's own roots in it's proper climate. It likes cool winters and no excessive or dry heat/sun. Grafting it onto JBP expands it's range some. I think Escondido CA might be tough for JWP on JBP or JWP on it's own...
Ian

 

[JudyB]

I agree with iant, most trees are grafted onto rootstock to extend their range, or to make them hardier in some way. Your apple will probably be fine on it's own roots, but I don't think I'd try JWP on own roots where you live. The apple was probably a nursery tree, they were trying to impart vigor to the variety. Most apples are grafts. Actually most fruit trees are grafts. That way you can have a dwarf scion grafted on standard (vigorous) rootstock.

 

[QuintinBonsai]

I've already found out the hard way, that JWP do not do well in my climate. I had purchased a JWP on JBP rootstock last year, and it was very disappointing to see this lovely tree slowly die in a few months once our summer months came. Needle after needle keep turning brown . They same thing happened with a Mugo that I had as well. There are times when I wished I still lived in NC, but Southern CA has it's good times too. Oh well... It's a learning experience.

 

[sledmanx]

Is it viable to try layering in a Japanese Maple cultivar to address a grafting scar?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Say for instance, you purchase a tree, but it has that big ugly graft on the trunk. Would it be wise to air, or ground layer it? I have a grafted apple tree that I am currently trying to air-layer above it's graft. I'm trying a cup of soil wrapped around the trunk instead of the usual sphagnum moss and bag method. So far so good.

I've also heard people say that the JWP does not do well on it's own roots. Why is this? And if so, how do JWPs in the wild make it?

Grafting does a few things. First, it is one way to guarantee complete genetic transference from parent tree to daughter tree, since the daughter tree is a clone of the parent. Secondarily, you can select root stock that may be much hardier / adaptable to your zone than the normal root stock. This includes not only heat tolerance, but also soil conditions, and disease and pest resistance. All Valencia orange trees are grafts (or grafts of grafts) from a single tree - but they may be on different root stock depending on your location. My lemons, limes and oranges are all on the same generic citrus rootstock that is the best for conditions here in Orange County, CA. Likewise I have two different peach trees that share the same root stock, for the same reason.

I was able to keep JWP on their own roots without a problem in Chicago. It tried it here in Orange County and had complete failure I have a JWP on JBP roots that is doing well - but it shares some of the characteristics of JBP, including longer needles, and the grafting scar is very difficult to hide.