I have a white peach tree that goes by the (not so elegant) name of Q-1-8. The main feature of this variety is resistance to Peach Leaf Curl. The tree is 7 years old. But I'm very disappointed in it, because of its consistently low yields.

This year, I pretty much decided it had to go, as I only have so much space in the backyard for trees. I was planning on pulling the tree this winter, but then I remembered that I have a few grafts on the tree. I have a white nectarine and an early yellow peach that would be nice the develop. The grafts are on opposite sides of the tree, and are placed low so they could potentially grow into scaffolding branches. However, both grafts are not too vigorous. And it seems like the native branches always outgrow the grafts (why not, they sure aren't putting their energy into fruit). Perhaps I should have cut out the native branches to favor the grafts over the years.

So that's my plan now, cut out the native branches and force the growth into the grafts. Which is what I just did. The grafts, whose wood is about a 5/8 inch thick have some new growth. They each have about 3 green 10-12 inch shoots. My concern, at this point, is to get these green branches to grow the most this season. Some of these green branches have active terminal buds and other don't. The question is: How I can get these inactive branches to grow? Is it enough to train them upward to activate apical dominance? Also, are there hormones or cutting techniques to achieve this. Should I use a nitrogen fertilizer to spur growth?

Your ideas and suggestions for supercharging the growth of this tree are much appreciated. Thanks!