Espaliered apricot (forum)

Paul2667 starts with ...
I planted out a bare rooted apricot along a shed wall this early spring and its going quite well. I have 5 horizontal catenary wires for it to climb along and at the moment 4 of the 5 have been filled with a leader.....except one! The 3rd horizontal up had two leaders but one dropped of early on and its left a hole in the canopy.
My question is how do I spur on a new leader for this 3rd horizontal catenary wire? Can I wait for next spring to hope it will shoot down low or should I bite the bullet and cut the main trunk back to the 3rd leader to spur on more growth. cheers.

Time: 28th November 2015 10:35am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Paul2667
parkside
#UserID: 12808
Posts: 4
View All Paul2667's Edible Fruit Trees

echinopora says...
I had the same problem on my mulberry espalier, ended up t budding a few cm below the unfilled wire. Make sure you use a swollen bud near to bud burst. You can get a nice bud by cutting back a branch to just infont of some dormant buds, they will then pick up apical dominance and start to swell.

Time: 29th November 2015 6:25pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
terranora
#UserID: 10023
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Paul2667 says...
Thanks Echi,

I thought that might be the answer but didn't want to start again from below the 3rd horizontal - after all that growth above is looking so good.

I suppose there's no harm in waiting till next spring to see what happens. If no growth happens at that level 'll bite the bullet and cut back to the 3rd horiz. Atleast at the beginning of spring I'll have plenty of time to regrow the vertical leader.

Time: 1st December 2015 7:10pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Paul2667
parkside
#UserID: 12808
Posts: 4
View All Paul2667's Edible Fruit Trees

Markmelb says...
It took me a couple years to multigraft a Buerre Bosc pear. I had blank spots where whip and tongue didnt work so i worked a branch from an opposing Williams and in Feb budded that Corrella that wouldnt take - it did grow and is 3/4 along wire now.
Also did same to a stub 2 wires up with a Bergamot Bud and has grown same length.

What you could try is make a cut horizontal thru cambium just above where you want a bud and sometimes a bud will form below that cut.

Grafting is a fun way to extend your collection without affecting space.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 2nd December 2015 8:06am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 2nd December 2015 5:13pm

About the Author Markmelb
MOUNT WAVERLEY,3149,VIC
#UserID: 7785
Posts: 1192
View All Markmelb's Edible Fruit Trees

Paul2667 says...
Thanks Mark, interesting option.

Time: 2nd December 2015 5:39pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 2nd December 2015 5:57pm
About the Author Paul2667
parkside
#UserID: 12808
Posts: 4
View All Paul2667's Edible Fruit Trees

Paul2667 says...
I've made a small cut, about 45 degrees around the trunk into the cambium as suggested. Lets see what happens :)
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 3rd December 2015 9:15am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Paul2667
parkside
#UserID: 12808
Posts: 4
View All Paul2667's Edible Fruit Trees