Grafting a Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra)

[Séan Warnick]

I know this is off topic but; really bugs me when people blow off P. afra as not suitable for bonsai. Heres a picture of myself next to a gorgeous specimen grown in Colorado of all places:View attachment 478045
Look at that tree and tell me it's not suitable to be judged alongside maples and pines...

I personally only have a few in development but they are tough as nails, have only ever killed one from overwatering. I have no doubt you could graft them, even if it goes against their "primary genetic coding"

That looks absolutely beautiful! If a mountain juniper can be bonsai so can spekboom.

 

[Séan Warnick]

Has anyone ever had any success in grafting a Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra)? I'm wondering if, because of the trees amazing ability to heal it's even possible. May experience so far is that the stock material keeps calousing over and the scion just develops roots as spekboom cuttings easily do creating a mess of the graft.

This is the specimen I'm looking to graft. A 15 year old, partially field grown spekboom. 70cm high with a trunk diameter of 42cm. Absolutely beautiful taper. I have developed the trunk, now its time for the branches. Give it 5 years.

 

[Séan Warnick]

This is the specimen I'm looking to graft. A 15 year old, partially field grown spekboom. 70cm high with a trunk diameter of 42cm. Absolutely beautiful taper. I have developed the trunk, now its time for the branches. Give it 5 years.

 

[Séan Warnick]

This is the specimen I'm looking to graft. A 15 year old, partially field grown spekboom. 70cm high with a trunk diameter of 42cm. Absolutely beautiful taper. I have developed the trunk, now its time for the branches. Give it 5 years.

Sorry, I think my photo sized were too large. Here they are now.

 

[ShadyStump]

Just speculating here, but my understanding is that P. Afra transport water through their root system so efficiently they won't grow hardly any roots at all if kept too moist.
Maybe some sphagnum moss, or just a damp paper towel wrapped around the graft will keep rooting to a minimum.
I don't know. Just bored on a Monday morning.

 

[Séan Warnick]

Interesting thought. And yes they won't root in too moist environments. Might be worth a shot.

Just speculating here, but my understanding is that P. Afra transport water through their root system so efficiently they won't grow hardly any roots at all if kept too moist.
Maybe some sphagnum moss, or just a damp paper towel wrapped around the graft will keep rooting to a minimum.
I don't know. Just bored on a Monday morning.

may

 

[August]

Interesting thought. And yes they won't root in too moist environments. Might be worth a shot.

may

Well... theres a guy on instagram in Florida, who actually roots portulacaria in tap water, like pothos. No joke.




And some proof that he knows what he's doing:


Heres the link to his instagram. It might actually be worth asking him if he's ever grafted with port before...

 

[Séan Warnick]

Well... theres a guy on instagram in Florida, who actually roots portulacaria in tap water, like pothos. No joke.

View attachment 478763
View attachment 478764

And some proof that he knows what he's doing:
View attachment 478765

Heres the link to his instagram. It might actually be worth asking him if he's ever grafted with port before...

That's a beautiful tree. Thanks! Been hope to talk to someone who actually knows and isn't just speculating.

 

[August]

That's a beautiful tree. Thanks! Been hope to talk to someone who actually knows and isn't just speculating.

Hes fairly open to questions. I would throw him a line!