Sorry to hear you lost some, but for your first year I think that you have some that took is great. Look forward to seeing your photos when you have time.
Cher

#1. Anytime after the last frost in your area, or, mid-summer (June) as the roots at that time are becoming active. Just be sure they are under shade cloth or similar after you've up-potted.

#2. Same as 1.

#3. Doesn't matter all that much. A lot of the time I plant my new grafts in the fall. And then some stay in my unheated hoophouse and others I may plant to part sun/more shade nursery beds.

#4. A pole barn is better than leaves.

Congratulations though. You'll get it dialed.

Dax

Putting together a document of what worked and didn't is a great idea.

Here are my particular basement grafting answers.

1. The first year I potted up band pots to gallons, about a month after the grafts took. At this time, they were still in the basement under lights, and had just been taken out of the humidity chamber. In following years, I've also potted up even earlier, while they were still in the chamber. Potting up earlier is a bit of a trade off in my situation, as the understock plant seems to "slow down" for several days. I assume this is because it's redirecting energy to the roots. I tried to avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible.

2. Night temps in the 40s have been ok. I usually wait until the last frost date (about May 15) or until there's a clear sign there won't be any more overnight freezes.

3. I've planted grafts as early as the last frost date. That said, I'm in z6a. I don't foresee an issue with keeping them potted for a few years before planting.

4. The pole barn sounds like a good place.

Good luck!

Dax...Nate,

Thank you so much for all your responses. I will start up potting to 1 gallon containers within the next couple weeks. I will keep my grafts in containers and winter them over in the pole barn.

Thank you. This helps me understand what space I will need allowing me to plan ahead.

I have a dickens of a time keeping conifers alive over the winter months here once I plant them outdoors. I'm a bit nervous about planting my babies out there.

Cher, thanks. I did get some grafts that took and am really excited to see what percentage of grafts did take...I'm still waiting for a few more weeks for my last batch of grafts to show new growth.

Here are a few of my babies...I still have quite a few I've not taken photos of yet.

Pinus strobus 'Trautmann'
{{gwi:693568}}

Pinus pumila 'Dwarf Blue'
{{gwi:693570}}

Pinus strobus 'Coney Island'
{{gwi:693572}}

Pinus flexilis 'Snowy #1
{{gwi:693574}}

Picea pungens 'Spring Ghost'
{{gwi:693576}}

Picea abies 'Clanbrassiliana'
{{gwi:693578}}

Picea pungens 'Blue Trinket'
{{gwi:693580}}

I have to chuckle looking at these photographs. I got better at grafting as the season went along. The first ones I did with the big fat rubber bands were a real pain. Nate turned me on to the grafting bands and I will never go back to using the plain rubber bands.

Also, I used parafilm grafting tape and had much better success with the plants I used that on.

Most excellent!

Fantastic job. You did really good. As with anything, time goes by and your work improves also. Next year you'll have even more successes.
Cher

Clapping!

Dax

Nice job! Thanks for posting pictures.

Alex

LL

Nice work. You are a quick learner.

Keith