GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

01-07-2006, 06:19 AM posted to rec.gardens

wrote:

This situation is not uncommon for any grafted plant. The solution, as Sherwin
described, is to prune off the growth from the rootstock. I would suggest removing
about 1/2 of the A.palmatum immediately. Just pick enough branches to reduce the
leaf area by 1/2. Try to prune branches that may be shading the A.shirwasawanum.
Next spring when you are sure the A.shirwasawanum has survived prune off the
remaining A.palmatum.

If this tree behaves similarly to a fruit tree, you should do your pruning before
any of
the buds open up. That would be early in the Spring.

I have to disagree with Sherwin about preventing the scion from producing its own
roots. For this type of plant it does not matter. For some things, dwarf fruit
trees for example, the dwarfing is produced by the rootstock. If the scion roots
the dwarfing influence is lost and the tree will develop into a full sided adult
instead of a dwarf. For your plant the rootstock is nothing but a root system. If
the scion also roots you just have more roots, a good thing.

Right. I thought this plant was structured like a grafted fruit tree. I am a bit
curious what
controls the dwarfing of this variety. It seems like you cannot mix and match root
systems
to get the size of tree you want.

Sherwin