Spruce are just about the most difficult to graft and it is very possible that the union did not take thus drying out the scion. When you make your cuts spruce really need to match on both sides. The thin cambia layer makes this a more difficult that Pines and Firs.

If the scion turns dark then you would be too wet. This part of the problem with individually bagging your grafts. You need to check the once in awhile and mist them if they start to dry out or dry them out if they are too wet. Unfortunately by the time you notice they are too wet/dry it's too late.

It could also be that you did not have enough light. Spruce want light. It could be that even though you gave light it wasn't the right kind. You need full spectrum lighting and metal halide should give you that. You might want to confirm you have the correct lights, but I think you do. In this case the spruce may not have had enough of the direct light or the light was too far away.

Then it could be that the scion got too hot. If the temperature rose to 100 F or more around the scion it will probably fail. They don't like excessive heat.

Sorry I cannot give you a definitive answer but there are so many things that can go wrong with spruce it's really hard to say. I think the best you can do is try to get everything right and hope for the best.

Bill

That's about right. All you can hope for is a little luck.

Something you can try and I'm adding 2 and 2 together here.

You can add four extra hours of light only after your light has been off four hours. I can with no certainty say it will help at all but at this time of the year or (six) weeks prior to a last frost, growers of flowers use this method to "force" the plants to flower early. Maybe this could help??

Hope all is well Keith.

Dax

Keith,

I'm very interested in what type of pine root stock you used to graft the Taylor's Sunburst onto?

jas99,
I grafted onto Pinus sylvestris that I purchased from university of idaho seedling nursery.

I think 2 out of 3 Taylor's Sunburst took. I had less sucess with a lot of other things I grafted this year. Will be modifying my procedure for next year based on some suggestions from Dax

Keith...please share your other suggestions from Dax!

Bill...what grafting procedure do you use with miniature spruces where the scion is too small for matching at both sides?

Thanks,

Barbara

The cortex/cambium is very slim on spruces especially so you'll need packs of razor blades and you'll utilize every spot on each blade including the edges until you've chipped away removing the top layer of bark. Then, finding a good place on an understock like an area where the stem naturally is pointed more so than rounded and then you'll get a good match.

I told keith to use a camping tent with a cool puff mister and if possible to get a track lighting system for a metal halide or a bulb with a light spectrum similar to the sun. I don't know the names of these bulbs but they are called something like 'Sunbulb' or whatever. If he doesn't use a track, I suggested a large reflector to better concentrate the light.

Dax

Barbara,

I have a nice tall ceiling unfinished basement. My plan is to build a pvc frame tall enough for me to walk under. Line the sides of the frame with mylar to reflect the light. The top will be with a Reemay type fabric that allows 85% light transmission.

Dax's email to me about using the tent triggered the idea. I really want something I can walk under. It doesn't seem that it will cost too much and should be easy to build. I probably won't invest in a light moving rail yet. My light is a big one 1000W metal halide. I stand under it when I get the winter blahs

Thanks for help with the question billb, dax. I hope to have a lot more take next year.