You can grow an apple tree with seeds from an apple,but don’t wait around for any apples from that tree…. because it won’t produce any unless you graft your apple tree. WHAT? Have you ever wondered why the cherry tree you bought from your local garden center never produces any cherries? It was probably never grafted.
grafting diagram from tutorvista.com
Grafting a fruit tree or Innestare in Italian is to add a branch of an existing fruiting tree to another tree in order for it to produce fruit. There are many ways to graft a tree and for a few hours my Zio Gino gave me a crash course in tree grafting. A walk around his garden with the bounty of various types of trees will soon convince you of his expertise. He knows more than one way to graft a tree and why one way is better than another depending on the type of tree your grafting. Many Italians are master tree grafters…there’s a reason why the fruit trees that Italians own actually bear fruit! Do any come to mind?
So the next time you see a fruit tree that doesn’t produces fruit…you’ll know why.
The sweetest Yellow Plums you'll ever taste
Mad Scientist - Half Lemon,Half Mandarin Orange
The half lemon,half manderin orange tree above actually produces lemons on one side and manderin oranges on the other!!
I’m really interested in the plums. There was a delicious small yellow plum I had in Italy. Have found nothing like it here. Do you know the name of the one in your photo?
Oh Joe,I love that you’re showing everybody how to do these and hopefully carry on the traditions. My husband has grafted many a fruit tree in his time.
My grandfather and Uncle grafted a few fruit trees. My son (majored in plant pathology) has explained the process. I love how Italians do not need a degree in biology to do this!
Joe,give us more information on grafting,time of the year,different fruit trees etc etc. We need this information to be passed on for future generations. Well done,I love your blog.
Thanks for the info Joe! ~~Two pleasures in one~~
A small tree grew up off the root of my Fuyu persimmon. I presume it is rootstock and won’t bear. If I graft a twig with buds from a bearing tree,will it bear fruit. (If it survives,that is). What type of graft is best. Also,I grew two peach trees from seed. Will they bear fruit?
Thanks for your help,Jane