Roots growing at thread graft site?

[Scrogdor]

So I did a thread graft on a European hornbeam I have in march or feb. I covered area with the clay putty/bonsai cut sealer. I noticed roots growing out of it today, the leaves on the branch seem fine, but I'm wondering if this is a normal reaction? It makes me think the cambium is not fusing with the tree but rather choking it off and will fail. Or will it just eventually fuse? The exit branch is much thicker now by the exit do to swelling.

 

[queenofsheba52]

@Scogdor, I have no idea about the graft problem but I see you are a fan of Trogdor! Burninating the countryside!

 

[hemmy]

I’ve never tried it on hornbeam, but haven’t seen that on other deciduous. To clarify:

The exit branch is much thicker now by the exit do to swelling.

By exit you mean the portion of graft you are keeping? With the entrance side being the “to be removed” material. If the keeper side is growing much thicker than donor side, you could probably remove it. Since it was only done in Spring, you could keep it but further weaken donor by cutting a wedge out 1/3 - 1/2 of dia. Then remove next year.

Also did you remove some bark of the donor branch?

Pics always help.

 

[Scrogdor]

I’ve never tried it on hornbeam, but haven’t seen that on other deciduous. To clarify:

By exit you mean the portion of graft you are keeping? With the entrance side being the “to be removed” material. If the keeper side is growing much thicker than donor side, you could probably remove it. Since it was only done in Spring, you could keep it but further weaken donor by cutting a wedge out 1/3 - 1/2 of dia. Then remove next year.

Also did you remove some bark of the donor branch?

Pics always help.

I did not remove any bark from the donor branch. The few videos I watched never did either. Tried to remove some of the clay, but you can kinda see where the scion meets the tree. Used a pewter sword to point to it. I put the entrance there for comparison, no swelling etc. You can kinda see where there were some root heads growing.

 

[leatherback]

sorry, but I do not see any roots there?

 

[Scrogdor]

sorry, but I do not see any roots there?

They came off when I removed the clay. Undeniable root head, white fibrous. All you can see in the picture is the spots where they came.

 

[Shogun610]

I would say it’s normal , do you see the exit side becoming larger than the entry side? Just roots growing which means the cambium is actively growing and the roots were probably sent out because that new branch is either covered up by the cut paste reacting with the hormones in that.. I would be worried.

 

[leatherback]

I would be worried.

wouldn't?

I think the graft was separated already right? And still happy and green? Then, no worries for now. But never seen this!

 

[Shogun610]

wouldn't?

I think the graft was separated already right? And still happy and green? Then, no worries for now. But never seen this!

Oh yeah haha meant wouldn’t

 

[Scrogdor]

I’m

wouldn't?

I think the graft was separated already right? And still happy and green? Then, no worries for now. But never seen this!

I haven't separated the graft yet. Not really sure how to tell if it's fully ready. All I've heard is that early separating is big reason for failure. Figured I'd just wait until spring to separate it.

I would say it’s normal , do you see the exit side becoming larger than the entry side? Just roots growing which means the cambium is actively growing and the roots were probably sent out because that new branch is either covered up by the cut paste reacting with the hormones in that.. I would be worried.

The exit side definitely looks larger and looks to be fusing more with the main trunk. I did put a pretty hefty chunk of sealer putty around the graft site.

 

[Shibui]

I suspect the 'hefty chunk of putty' has retained enough moisture for the callus to try growing roots as well as bridging the gap. Pulling off any roots won't hurt the graft or the tree. The developing graft looks very positive with a good ring of callus forming to bridge the gap.
When I get the exit side swelling more than the entry side I'm pretty confident everything is progressing as it should. That's the stage I start to scrape off some bark on the entry side to wean the new branch off it's own supply and force it to make more new sap paths through the graft. If in doubt leave it to grow a bit longer. No point rushing in early and wasting a whole season. Cutting early won't give any advantage.