I don't know why grafting should be a last resort. Most
of us (including me) are quite inept at this technique, so it
probably is a last resort for most, but that has more to do with
our lack of skill rather than lack of merit for the technique.
I think some circular reasoning is behind the defamation of
grafting. It's too hard, so I don't try it, so it remains too
hard. A change in attitude could open a very viable alternative!
If you're going to plant it in the ground and go wild a
while, why avoid grafting? Give it a try. What do you have to
lose?

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org


-----Original Message-----
Keith wrote:
you could try thread grafting to solve your problem.
Keith

On 11 Feb 2005 at 14:53, Theo wrote:
possible but it takes 2 years to take hold, if takes hold, and
after you need to built them anyway so = 4 years

In My book, grafting is the cure of last resort. It is only
worthwhile on a tree with EXCEPTIONAL promise, and if you have
to graft a large number of branches, how do you know the tree
has promise?

Sometimes if you nick the bark all the way through the cambium
layer -- using a very sharp knife -- that will stimulate buds
developing just over the nick.

It sounds to me, however, that this tree needs so much work that
you'd be much better off planting it in the ground and letting
it go wild for a few years.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL

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