To Graft or Not to Graft?

[bonsaianak]

So I have a field grown sabina juniper that I have been working on. With grafting season approaching, I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not I should graft shimpaku onto it or just develop the foliage that is already on it. The problem with the sabina is that it has about 30% juveline foliage currently. Would it be faster to develop the original foliage, or should I graft kishu scions onto it this next upcoming grafting season?

 

[Shibui]

It will definitely be quicker to develop the existing foliage because that's already there and growing. The real question is whether the sabina foliage looks good.
Grafting another variety can take a few years if some of the grafts fail and have to be redone next year. The grafted branches will need to grow for a few years to gain strength before you get back to the stage you are now. Then there's further years to develop pads on the new branches.
I really like the tight, neat foliage of chinensis and have been frustrated by the openness of sabina so I would go for grafting.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Sabina, just like some RMJ can have tight foliage that's comparable to chinensis.
So it's a matter of personal preference as well as the type of foliage you're having.

But I think the answer is pretty obvious if you're considering it.. I mean, the question to graft or not doesn't arise out of the blue. I'd go for it.

 

[sorce]

I would be grafting more to remove structural flaws than for folaige preference.

Sorce

 

[bonsaianak]

It will definitely be quicker to develop the existing foliage because that's already there and growing. The real question is whether the sabina foliage looks good.

I really like the tight, neat foliage of chinensis and have been frustrated by the openness of sabina so I would go for grafting.

Thanks for the insight. The sabina foliage currently on the tree is quite coarse, hence the reason why i wanted to know how long the developmental period takes.

But I think the answer is pretty obvious if you're considering it.. I mean, the question to graft or not doesn't arise out of the blue. I'd go for it.

True. Just wanted to get some more clarity before doing so. Appreciate the input.

I would be grafting more to remove structural flaws than for folaige preference.

Sorce

Structure is definitely another factor I was considering. I don't know if you can really tell but the trunk shoots straight back about 8 inches before coming back forward to create the apex. So I was thinking grafting would allow me to bring the foliage lower and more towards the front. Thanks for the input.