Apple graft problem

17 years ago

Hope someone can help me with this issue. I have a Pomme Grise apple I grafted and the terminal leaves are being attacked by something that is turning them brown and killing them. Some of the leaves seem to be surviving, but it is getting worse as time rolls on. I have sprayed it lightly with copper and a general fruit tree spray. Seemed to help a bit, but not stop it. I can post a picture if someone can coach me through the process.

Thanks

Bob in Albemarle County VA

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Comments (5)

jellyman
17 years ago
Bob:

Sounds more like a problem with the graft than an attack from disease or insects. Was the scion fully dormant when your grafted and the understock already waking up? How good is the graft seal, and what did you use for sealing -- parafilm, wax, electrical tape etc.?

It's still plenty early for grafting in Virginia. My apple trees are just now beginning to push leaves, so there is still lots of time for grafting if you have dormant scionwood. Grafting too early, or using scionwood that itself pushing out buds can result in exactly what you describe: The scion dying from the top down. If you need more scionwood for next season, I have a nice Pomme Gris tree here, but it's already leafing and too late to take scions now.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
hawken54
Original Author
17 years ago
Don,

I grafted it on Feb. 14, at Va Vintage Apples workshop. I used freezer tape to join the graft (no wax). Started out great, but could be it will not make it then. The Ark Black is doing fine. I will let you know if it withers. And I would love to take you up on your offer of scion wood next year. I can trade if I have a variety you don't have.

Regards,

Bob Smith
Charlottesville VA
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murkwell
17 years ago
Bob,

How much growth did the scion make before it started browning? If it was only a centimeter or so it could be that the graft never took or only very weakly.

The buds can push and start growing just from the latent energy and nutrients in the scionwood itself, even without a good graft union. But if that union doesn't form it will dry out and shrivel up.
hawken54
Original Author
17 years ago
It has very good growth. The "dominant" bud took off. There is about 8" growth. All was fine and then the new leaves started to get browning. The older leaves are the picture of health.

Bob
alan haigh
17 years ago
Here, in the northeast, leaf-hoppers often suck the life out of the smaller leaves and shoot tips. Grafts are particularly susceptible to this damage because they are tender when rest of tree has begun hardening off. Some varieties are more susceptible to this damage than others. Sevin kill them, but must be applied at near weekly intervals.