Shoots Still Alive?

[jimlau]

This is a mulberry thread graft. Unfortunately, I bent the shoot too far when trying to thread it 2 weeks ago. Now that overly bent section before the hole is brown (see In). But, the other side branch (see Out) seems alive. It is green and has 2 green buds. Those buds are unchanged for the past week though (have made no progress).

Could the end of this shoot be dead but still green? Or should i assume it is still alive and wait longer to see if these buds get closer to popping?

Btw, an earlier season thread graft had its buds go from the shown stage to opening in about 5 days. Currently there are 7-8 branches growing rapidly, including the leader, so not sure if they are taking "juice" away from the thread shoot.

Thanks.

 

[Vance Wood]

It doesn't hurt to wait????

 

[jimlau]

It doesn't hurt to wait????

In theory...

I have to find a different shoot to use if this 1 fails. Not a huge deal but it affects things a bit. Anyways, unless someone knows it's for sure dead, I will wait.

Thanks.

 

[Martin Sweeney]

jimlau,

I would wait and see, but in the meantime, start preparing a new shoot to use to create another thread if the current grafted shoot does die.

I threaded a shoot on a Japanese Maple last year. Even though the graft went well, it is having difficulties staying as vigorous as the rest of the tree. I had to defoliate the rest of the tree last week (leaving the threaded shoot in full leaf) in an attempt to spur some much needed growth to save the graft. Long story short, it may prove difficult to get a damaged shoot growing strongly enough to not get shut down by the plant, so you should start prepping a fall back plan.

Never mind. I see you are already doing that.

Regards,
Martin