Some time ago i posted this picture of some of the stuff i use.

This parafilm is 2 inches wide, strip about 6" and split it either 2 ways or 3, if i work with small stuff i split it 3 ways. There are some better film available that can stretch a mile long with only a piece that is 2'' long. The roll on top is just grafting film, kind of strong.

Some use the bear essential to get by, others are more selective and than there is me, if somebody give me something i really want i'be more selective. Hate to tell someone that go out of there way getting sionwood, your sh..... don't work.

Kelly, forums suppose to be more educational, more informative, buying tree is all part of it. Right now it is more about collecting tree's, which is good but sooner or later it will change. I like to see the tech part be getting better, personally i already see huge improvements.

I am trying out this new thing to raise your containers of the floor when you bring the plants in.

It raises it by 2", your saucer keep moist of the floor, keep the container from picking up coler temps.

That looks like a great idea, Bob - where did you find those?

My hydroponic store had them in different sizes, mine was for a 20” planter.

I have been using cheap red bricks to keep my plants elevated. lol.

Yeah, but they are not as high tech.

I like to keep my workshop looking my way, no bricks but it certainly a cheap way doing.

my hobby has a price I am comfortable with, like anything else. I am very happy with what I have accomplished and money wise I am way below budget.

High tech means $$$$. lol. Not only that, plastic doesn't last very long. I purchased 20+ Down Under plant caddies which are plastic and pray they last a good long time.

Denise, I don’t know where you coming from. I have read, members spending $80.00 for a small tree and also big pots, hard telling about prices on them.

M y containers are 10 for $62.00 and some are under $10.00.

my collection on citrus over the years is under $100.00. My collection added in the last 2 years(grafted tree’s) maybe $12.oo for postage, read this 30 new tree’s.

Uppotted another 2017 grafted tree, Cara-Cara this morning, $ 3.00 for small pinebark chips and some other stuff. Tree was free. This sucker is also blooming.

Bob, Usually new high tech gadgets on the market for gardening are expensive. I couldn't believe the Down Under plant caddies were selling $24 each through Home Depot. They are 100% plastic with wheels. Plastic stuff is cheap to make, breaks easily and sells at high prices.

The Down Under plant caddy is suppose to hold up to 500 pounds, but yet when my order was packaged for shipping, one of the four in a box was broken. It was the very last one at bottom of box. It makes me doubt it can hold 500 pounds.

Good for you that you pay so little for your hobby. I try to be frugal as much as possible, but it isn't always possible.

precut 18 x 36 plywood piece ($10?)at home depot (then cut in 2) plus 8 steel rollers @$4 each in the hardware aisle = 42/2 = $26 each but probably sturdier

Denise, I would not buy any of that flimsy stuff, they’re not even good enough for small pots. My dollies are all homemade from old decking boards with larger heavy rollers for the big stuff, easy to roll with just a pinky.

Bob, I hear you, but here in the middle GA, we get daily rain and, if it's not treated, wood rots fairly quickly. Termites are really bad too. I had a wood pallet as well as some plywood on the ground for about a week or two, and the bottoms were covered in termites when I went to move them. I have found termites in my vegetable garden under bags of manure fairly quickly. I have to use whatever doesn't rot or get eaten by termites. I have to be careful about where I put my potted plants as well because fire ants will move in. I hate living in GA because it's the bug capitol of the world. I kid you not!

Is this more like it.

Awesome! Keep it up!

Bob, again, that would would not last very long here. Thanks for the pictures. Maybe your projects will help somebody else.

Bob you need to make me something.....

3/4" treated deckboard? Hard to believe, these dollies are now 2 years old, no signs of damage. Denise you are living in the wrong state If you are right i would have notice something by now.

I like your spirited approach,down in the dumps Bob.

BK, i can do that but will not deliver.

Bobs dollies would last a long time, i dont care where you live lol. May make a few, thanks for the idea.

Nice trees Bob and nice dollies too. Those dollies that Bob made are Pressure treated lumber and I think the intended use is mostly indoors. Even outdoors they will last a long time anywhere and they will be far stronger than most dollies or caddies. HD has a "Cull" section too where they sell slightly defective boards for 50-75% off. Perfect for such projects.

Harbor Freight has some cheap dollies for less than $10 and at times you can get them for half that. With a 1000lb capacity. They are not pressure treated wood but you can always replace or top them with PT lumber. That is what I use for various things like a rolling plant shelf. They also have a better dolly with the same 1000lb rating made with reinforced polypropylene plastic for $20. I have one of them and it is now at least 7 yrs in service. I use it store/move bags of concrete, gravel, sand etc. Right now I have 300lbs stacked on it.

You can even use furniture glides (magic sliders) under the platform for smooth surfaces. A 4 pack is around $5 rated to 1500lbs.

Update: all 4 bud grafts failed, but my 2 cleft grafts are still green at two weeks. I really need to figure out what I’m doing wrong :(

When you open your failed graft, look at cambium contact , did you use a sharp knife, did your wrapping loosen up, did your bud dried up?

I used a sharp knife that was sterilized and did not touch the bud underneath. The wrapping didn’t come loose and the buds turned black and almost rotten, not dried up.

You know, the budwood looked a bit dry on arrival, so I soaked it overnight (followed the same process with my one successful graft), but now I’m wondering if the wood was too wet (I did dry them off before grafting). I should be getting more of the same budwood this week - I’ll soak for only about 30 mins and make sure they’re completely dry this time.

This time when I t-bud, don’t wrap over the buds? Bob, thanks so much for your time, patience, and help!

You always start with the most healthy budwood , it,s just not worth to second guess. Btw, were there any leaves to nurse the bud, probably a dumb question.

I know you well enough, so my guess,ones the bud is weak it has a hard time.

Next time leave the whole stick in the water.

No not the sticks, talking about the tree. Budwood is usely send without leaves, but sealed with parafilm. If i send you stuff it would be properly sealed, period. You just have to try again, don't give up.

Yes, the trees were actively growing

Hey Bob, Sunshine, Jaydub, sorry for all the questions, but I have one more: I have two cleft grafts that are still green and will be at 3 weeks on Sunday. When should I unwrap? Should I remove the parafilm and leave the rubber bands?

I had a eureka cleft graft that dried up after 6 weeks of being green. This budwood is not readily available so I really want it to work this time :). Thanks for your time!

Hi Kelley, if curious, unwrap gently and take a look :) I do that sometimes, but if it's not healed, wrap it back just with parafilm. Don't allow water to go on the grafts.

Leave it alone, the tree is strong enough to spread the wrapping. Grafting film might be different only if you are dealing with none dwarfing rootstock.

3 Week Update: maybe I am imagining it, but the buds appear to be pushing against the film on one of the trees:

Looking good!!

your graft has made it. You still can't expose it to sunlight yet. My bud did well with a 13 watt CFL 12 inches away .After the bud grew enough to see individual leave I increased the light to 3 inches distance. I moved the lamp closer gradually each day.

Steve

Thanks guys! I’m so afraid to move them - to change their environment, lol. They are receiving indirect light via the window (no direct sunlight in this location).

With a good dappled light they will grow faster. No direct scorching sunlight.

Good work, Kelley!

Update: I’m still holding my breath, but my last surviving Lunario graft is still hanging on. I carefully cut the tape around the two swollen buds this morning. I may put the tree in some afternoon sun to give it a boost.

Thanks, Steve! I need all of the crossed fingers I can get! Lol

You Go girl, you are on a roll!!

That mummy looks ready to rise from the dead. You got this!

Well, 4.5 months later, the first leaf has begun to emerge.

Dang, it takes a long time. I don't think grafting would be something I want to do as I just don't have the patience. My broken minneola tree is still taped up and I am dying to remove the support tape to see how it has healed.

Leave the tape on till summer

Congratulations Kelley! Grafting is tough, but we’ve got some experts to guide us here. Bob, your trees are spectacular!! Happy 2019 everyone!

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but why would the new leaves be growing small and curly? There are no signs of mites or other pests.

They just do on a new graft. Give it time.

Steve

Small leaves on NZL/UG897

small leavs on NZL/sour orange

Bigger leaves when T-budding of Fukushu on C35

you can click on poncirusguy and see my works in my 14 Ideabooks

Steve