Clone or graft a Satsuma plum tree? (forum)

A non e-mouse starts with ...
I have a Satsuma plum tree that my dad planted about 25 or so years ago and the trunk has split, I am guessing the tree is doomed.

It looks very shabby and I haven't looked after it very well but I intend to replant my back yard with more fruit trees and would like to keep this one going from cuttings as it bore loads of large fruit, I also intend to learn how to better care for my trees.

I would like to know whether I can just clone it or if I need to graft it onto a rootstock.
If grafting is best where can I get the rootstock from?
Are there any online guides to cloning or grafting fruit trees that you could recommend?

My next door neighbours have cut down some of their fruit trees and I think they cut down a plum that was helping pollinate this one so it has not had much fruit this year and what there is on the tree is very small although this could also be from the split trunk affecting it after so many years or it could be the weather.

I have read that I would need a Santa Rosa (IIRC) to pollinate a Satsuma and will look at getting one for that.


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Time: 15th December 2008 10:53pm

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About the Author A non emouse1
Adelaide
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John says...
I think a 25 year old tree is past it.

Perry's Nsy in SA could sell you a new one or even a double graftb that would grow better in the long term.

Time: 16th December 2008 3:07pm

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About the Author John20
Perth
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Anonymous says...
If you'd really like to keep a part of that particular tree going- I'd suggest buying the pollinator (check with the nursery but Narabeen, Santa Rosa and/or Mariposa should pollinate Satsuma).

Then once you've bought and planted your new fruit tree- graft some of your satsuma cuttings onto it at the end of winter.

As far as online resources go- have a look at this if you want to try grafting this summer
http://www.ozgrow.com/viewforum.php?f=44

For winter grafting- it's pretty easy but hard to describe without pictures- there's a book on fruit and vegetable growing in Australia by the Royal Horticultural society that's pretty good. Otherwise there's a book called "Growing fruit in Australia" by Louis Glowinski that is also pretty good.

Cheers,

Daniel

Time: 17th December 2008 8:29am

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About the Author Itdepends2
 
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A non e-mouse says...
Thanks for the replies.

Looks like I have got a lot of reading to do before I try and graft the Satsuma.
I may even just take the easy way and buy a new tree.

I have been thinking about re-doing my whole backyard with fruit trees.
If I can get some steel tubing like 2" water pipe to use as a support for fencing wire or horizontal 1" pipes then I would like to espalier them in a horizontal form so I can fit more trees and have it easier to pick the fruit.

I will start a thread later about suggesting trees to use in my area and about placement to best suit them.

Time: 17th December 2008 7:11pm

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About the Author A non emouse1
Adelaide
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