Grafting Tool. My Impression.

Was examining the failed grafting and fond that even though the grafting did not 'take' there were minimum damage to the rootstock. Unlike the conventional way of using the knife.

Failed Avocado grafting.

The dying part doesn't really spread very far. I only get a few death rootstock.

Death Avocado scion.

The other advantage of using the grafting tool is that the shape is fixed (when cut correctly) and you do not need to reshape for them to fit. This reduce tremendously the time to practice our cutting skill.

As I am removing the failed Avocado grafting and redoing it, am trying to set up some qualifier so that I can use the tool effectively & successfully. Am sure that the grafting tool was designed to help ease out grafting if all the conditions are met.

The foremost conditions are that the join part should be smooth and of uniform diameter. The diameter of the scion & rootstock should be of the same (closest possible). These should create more contact through out the cut length including the shoulder. 

The 3 blades, I guess shall work well for different occasion. The U is good only for a minimum stem diameter of 8mm. Anything smaller, the parallel wing do not have enough body mass to be strong enough to hold the other side (basing on Avocado). The V & Omega has yet to be determined, but I guess it should be thicker, due to the nature of the shape. I would guess 10mm. Maximum is 15 mm, that is the mouth of the tool.

Cutting should be made perpendicular to the stems and at the center. Should the cut misaligned off center, both should be of the same distant. This need a bit of practice as there is no aiming device. Am still trying to look for a way to 'aim' the cut so as it is perpendicular and dead center.

Joining of the scion & rootstock should align correctly on the upper & lower part of the U. Also take note on the shoulder, which can aid increasing cambium contact.

Wrapping
Using the grafting tool, wrapping have to be modify to suit. Wrapping can not be done too high above the join as the torque / pressure / tension of the wrapping tape shall displace the joint alignment.

After fixing the qualifier at minimum 8mm stem diameter, I couldn't find any opportunity to test the grafting tools. Most of my rootstock are still smaller than 8mm. Guess I have to resort back to using the knife for the time being.

Was doing grafting in the field and took the grafting tool along. Field grafting is really challenging. Need to re-work my grafting procedure to keep things simple and tools to a minimal.

Anyway, task of the day is a trial to graft 4 Borneo Avocado trees, maybe about 2 years old, planted by seeds. I would want a top working  (yet) as I'm yet to graduate till that level, so I'm grafting to the branches.

Borneo Avocado grew by seeds.

Grafting on the branches post lots of challenges. 1 of them is the the branches are almost horizontal. I tried to use the grafting tool whenever it qualifies and reverted to my knife cut when it's not. Tried the V blade as it was still attached, couldn't get the scion to stand into place no matter how I turn it. It keep on dropping. I figure that this is a job more suitable for Omega blade.

Grafted, Avocado tree.

The Omega offer more grip, thus holding the scion in place before wrapping.

The Omega gives a good grip, free our hands to wrap.

Done, grafted the Avocado tree.

I did a couple of graft per tree, and hope that at least 1 takes. I guess the successful rate should be quite low. I also tried other grafting method depending on the circumstances.

The last trees was the most challenging, on a steep gradient.

The last tree was challenging, have to graft sitting on the soil and use a leg to anchor at the trunk. Shall check back in about 2 weeks.

Ran out of candidates. Took the grafting to Soursop.

Just for fun, grafting Sousop.

Now the big question, was the tool useful?
To me it is as it lighten the load when doing mass grafting (when all condition are met). It helps in the cutting & shaping.

Note that this tool only help in a certain part of the grafting process only and does not guarantee grafting success. For successful grafting, kindly refer  back to the basic, that is cambium contact.

Grafting Tools, First Trial.

Did a trial run on the grafting tool on on Rubber trees, Jackfruit Tree and Avocado last month. Checked on the grafting when I came back to the nursery. None of the Rubber trees & Jackfruit trees took. Only a small numbers of Avocado took.

Look like the Grafting tool is not an easy to use tool. I have to learn how to use it effectively & successfully. As it's my first time, I am playing around with it. I started off with the U blade as it came attached with the tool. Cutting a U on the scion is not as easy as it seems. There is no aiming and I usually missed the center while cutting the rootstock. Cutting the scion is much easier. While playing with it I realized that the pruning part may post a danger and may injure our fingers. Kindly take necessary precaution. Thank goodness I was not cut. Personally I would prefer the pruning part to be on another tool.

Grafting Avocado with a U blade grafting tool.

Avocado grafting, U join.

Rear view of the grafting tool.

Can I use the hole at the bottom to aim? When cutting on the rootstock, it could be an issue. I then turned it around and tried U "saddle". Inverted U on the rootstock.

Avocado, saddle U cut.

Avocado grafting Saddle U cut.

I then switch the blade to the Omega style. Blade switching, click here.

Omega Cut, saddle.

Omega cut, grafting of rubber tree.

Yes, for Omega, we can use it straight or saddle. For the Omega style, we have to slide in the scion from the side. If we were to push it in, it shall damage the 'O' part.

One side matching.

Not matching side.

Scion and rootstock of different size, we can only match i side.

While turning the bobbin  I was surprised to see that the mark of the U and Omega side by side.

Note the cut marks of U & Omega cut.

 I only realized that they are of different 'depth'. I took the  V blade to compare and it's at the same length of the U. I wonder why.

Finally, I decided to try the V blade. This is the style that I had the most reservation. I feel that it is difficult to wrap as the sides shall slip out when the sides are compressed.

V blade attached on the grafting tool.

Did a couple of Avocado graft. Again The V can be used straight or saddle.

Avocado V shape grafting.

I just did a couple of straight V. Shall try the saddle when I have the opportunity. Stay tune for my impression of the grafting tool, coming soon.

Grafting Scissor, Blade Replacement.

The scissor came with a U blade attached. When I wanted to try the other shaped blade, I realized that there were no instruction given. I tried to change the blade using what tools I have from the truck, but couldn't do it as the Philip Screw is of the wrong size. Assembled it back, at least now I think I know how it's done.

Bought a correct sized Philip screw driver (+).

 I used a Philip screw driver and a pliers for field as it's easier to work with, but a proper tool should be a spanner, a size 8 I think.

Flip the grafting scissor over. Remove the the self locking nut.

 Flip back to the front and take off the Philip screw. Keep pressure on the handle while doing this as the screw is the pivot for the cutting action. Once the screw is out, you can release the pressure on the handle.

 Slide the blade assembly to the top and remove.

There are 4 Philip screws holding the blade to the assembly. Remove all 4. One of the screw is just too tight, I had to resort to knocking the screw driver to loosen it.

Change the blade to which ever type that is required. When re-assembling blade assembly, screw loosely first, then tighten with a diagonal cross method. Check to confirm the blade is sitting properly and the assembly is flat.

Insert the assembly back into the scissor, apply pressure on the handle and align the pivot hole. Check that the return spring on the handle is sitting properly. Insert the screw. Screw it down until almost tight. Check for the scissor action, it should be smooth and return smoothly (open position). Adjust the screw accordingly.

Flip the scissor over and install the self locking screw. Hand tighten fist.

You then need to hold the screw to prevent it from turning while locking the nut as this shall affect the adjustment made earlier on the smooth scissor action. Adjust again if required.

We are almost done. Do not forget to adjust the orange bobbin. Turn it to a new position ( as mine is a new scissor and had only been using the U blade). Unlock the self locking nut. I think the bobbin should be able to turn, but mine is just too tight. I had to unscrew the screw also, then pull out the bobbin to change position.

New position. Note the previous U cut.

Reassemble. Check the scissor action again. Lubricate if require. We done, ready for grafting.

Happy grafting.
Am testing out the grafting scissor, learning to use it within it's designed range. Shall write a review of the scissor soon. Stay tune.