Date: 02/26/2011 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: 3113 View Rd., Madison
Cost: $25

The seed from a Bartlett pear will produce an pear tree, but it will not produce a Bartlett pear tree. Likewise, the seed from a Honeycrisp apple will not produce a Honeycrisp apple tree. In other words, fruit trees cannot be reproduced "true" to the original cultivar from seed. They can only be reproduced by grafting. Grafting describes any of a number of techniques in which a section of a stem with leaf buds is inserted into the stock of a tree. Grafting is useful however, for more than reproduction of an original cultivar. It is also used to repair injured fruit trees or for topworking an established tree to one or more different cultivars. Grafting is a method of asexual plant propagation widely used in agriculture and horticulture where the tissues of one plant are encouraged to fuse with those of another. It is most commonly used for the propagation of trees and shrubs grown commercially. In most cases, one plant is selected for its roots, and this is called the stock or rootstock. The other plant is selected for its stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits and is called the scion. The scion contains the desired genes to be duplicated in future production by the stock/scion plant. This is a great opportunity to learn hands-on from an expert! Several different procedures for grafting will be reviewed during the workshop. Each participant will receive three hardy apple (also a choice of either pear or plum) rootstocks. Scionwood from different fruit varieties will be available for grafting or participants can bring their own scionwood (see below on collecting scionwood). Individuals, who are interested in participating in the on-site grafting activities, please bring a pair of leather gloves and a sharp knife (utility or grafting knife). Space is limited so register early!

For those wishing to collect their own scion wood for grafting purposes:
The best time to collect scion wood for grafting is early spring (February and March) while trees are dormant. Scion wood is the twig or branch from last year’s growth containing buds which developed during the last growing season. Buds from one year old water sprouts about ¼ to 3/8 inch in diameter (pencil diameter in size) and found growing off the trunk and lower main branches have the best vigor. To keep the scions in a dormant condition after collecting and until needed, first wrap in moistened newspaper, then place in a plastic bag and store in a refrigerator or unheated garage at 35 to 39 degrees. Remove any other fruit or vegetables from the refrigerator prior to scion storage as odors (gases) from these can impact the viability of the scion.

Instructor:
Dr. Robert Tomesh, UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension-Horticulture Specialist, has statewide extension education responsibilities.  In the past 34 years, his responsibilities include providing statewide training and support to Master Gardeners, Fresh Market Fruit and Vegetable Growers, County Extension Agriculture Agents assisting horticulture producers and urban horticulture residents, and other statewide horticulture outreach education efforts.  Regarding the Fresh Market Growers, Tomesh has been involved with planning and providing educational support to Field Day events, production demonstration plots at both UW Agriculture Research Stations and at participating grower farms, and the Annual Fresh Market Growers Conference.  He also provides production and marketing education consultation and advice to individual growers across the State. He provides fruit crop pruning demonstrations at UW Research Stations sites and with local County Extension agents at homeowner sites. Dr. Tomesh is a monthly guest on "Garden Talk" hosted by Larry Mueller and Wisconsin Public Radio.