11 BIGgest NURSERY and GRAFTING MISTAKES (part 3 of 4)

11 Nursery and Grafting Mistakes (part 3 of 4 of my MISTAKES series).
Here's the biggest mistakes I made in the nursery and grafting. Enjoy, learn and try not to make these mistakes yourself.
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[@timbushell8640]

So we can all grieve over some of that "confession" - lean by your mistake, or better still learn from someone else's mistakes. As said before, good mini series idea, and editing has sharpened up - no distractions. Thanks for these.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Hahaha editing is not mine. My son is doing this series.

[@everybodyluvsmonkeys]

I never heard of programming before. Wow. Makes sense, thank you.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Maybe I’ll do a winter video explaining the process fully.

[@milagrinacardozo7262]

@@StefanSobkowiak í9ii

[@dancingcedar]

Thank you. So much wisdom......which will save me so much disappointment. What a generous gift to us for you to be so honest about your mistakes :) Also, now I am a bit more forgiving of myself for my mistakes. WOW! 85% of root growth happens in the Fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sooooo much for sharing that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got it!!! That explains a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ZaneMedia]

We’re glad you’re enjoying the content:)

[@wildedibles819]

Great points on the soil

[@johncollins1602]

You rock man! Great advice and even better acting and funny Shit you do. I love it. Laugh my ass off every vid. Thanks for all this info. Great help to us home fruit growers😊✌

[@annburge291]

Love your mistake series. The seed programming in poorer soil was a new concept for me. I am going to try it...is spring or autumn better if one plants the trees out in autumn? You had a video about pouring a slurry of plum and seeds into holes... did any of the trees grow? We have to refrigerate our seeds because our cold snaps, although severe, are spasmodic and unpredictable. I haven't tried grafting, but the guys we paid to do it for us had very low success rate and the trees ended up looking butchered. I need to learn graft. It is probably too cold for Canada, but I plant coriander and garlic around new trees. Coriander tends to kill rabbits.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Ann I'll need to do an update of the seeded orchard series. Not many grew with our really dry spring. Fall planting is always best for fruit.

[@ZaneMedia]

Stefan Sobkowiak pops looks like there’s a fair amount of demand for this video 👍

[@chriserickson2677]

Mr Sobkowiak, Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’ve learned so much from your videos. Enjoying from the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

You’re welcome.

[@renaissancewomanfarm9175]

We have the same issue with voles and rabbits and of course, deer. The number of trees that I put out does not compare to yours, but I still lose most to all of what I have to voles. they are at risk until the bark hardens. I have lost a five year old cherry tree just last winter to vole girdling. I have been trying to find economical ways to tube or fence the baby trees but no matter what, you have to be prepared to put some money into that or you end up with nothing. You gave us a lot of "gold" in this video. Thanks so much.

[@LK-3000]

Late reply but hope it helps someone: If voles can't climb I'd suggest planting baby trees in half barrels or barrels until their trunks harden. They can stay in containers safely for a couple of years before they need to be root pruned or planted in ground. I planted trees in barrels to test if they could survive where I live and the ones that made it past one summer got planted in the ground. I did the same with my blackberries and grapes. This year almost all are planted in the ground and they're thriving--that is, except for the grasshopper invasion. But that is a story for another time. Good luck.

[@theakirschblatt8393]

The pear is a Mostbirne.. its a traditional Bavarian fruit that I think is awesome ... but I think its for making Alkoholic Juice.

[@fishmut]

I agree and I think they can be used for making jams and desert fruits using sugar or syrups , I’m sure there is a way to use them for other things but in his case he wanted eating fruit from the get go , to bad he planted fruit and had to learn the hard way when he knew nothing about what he was doing lol what a waste of time , I air layerd naval orange tree branches from a beautiful naval orange fruit tree which means I got exactly the same fruit tree that I knew was the best I liked , grafting from fruit trees that’s never been tried doesn’t make sense to me .

[@MsCaterific]

I love this series!

[@ZaneMedia]

We’re glad you’re enjoying it 👍

[@ralsharp6013]

Thank you very much

[@slaplapdog]

Programming explains why my transplant mulberry tree is still struggling 4 years later, while volunteer mulberry trees have explosive growth.

[@MidwayGuy]

Love it. From the school of hard knocks. I am early in my backyard orchard career and I have much to think about now. Thank you!

[@tmzumba]

So interesting. I've been unintentionally programming my seeds. I figured if they can be born in this soil, they're going to be the strong ones, and they can grow anywhere.

[@grazvydasj6956]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! It is very valuable.

[@ceili]

You've really upped your thumbnail game!! Another classic

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Ya because it's not mine. Hahaha.

[@ZaneMedia]

Haha thanks I’ve been having a blast with him putting these recent thumbnails together :)

[@annburge291]

Richard Perkins has just uploaded a video of him using a tool that explodes vole tunnels and kills the voles if you are interested. In my setting voles are manageable because we have grass snakes and I want them around with food or rattle snakes will move in.

[@WWPermaculture]

Thank you! Do you have a reference to learn more about starting a tree nursery? What is the best method for propagating or ordering root stock for those of us in Canada?

[@KDOGGER11]

Second the above question.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Maybe another series or an in depth film on the subject.

[@denissesheartyhomestead]

@@StefanSobkowiak would love that. I am currently bench watching your info in preparation for a land purchase where i want to plant a u pick orchard. cant wait to continue absorbing this knowledge. thank you

[@keithashline505]

I've never heard that about the amount of fall root growth. The last 3 years I've been doing spring planting ( Zone 4b ) because that's what everyone was saying to do. Last year in the fall I did plant two potted pear grafts into my nursery and they both made it thru the past winter. This year I'm cleaning out my nursery to transplant them to there permanent homes in the orchard this fall,

[@tehfuqizg0inon588]

Best orchard channel on youtube, period! And yeah, my McIntosh has terrible scab, terrribbleee....would it be a good candidate to overgraft to?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Absolutely, check out the overgrafting video.

[@tehfuqizg0inon588]

@@StefanSobkowiak thanks!

[@ZaneMedia]

Wow thanks for the awesome comment, glad you’re enjoying the content

[@organicgardeningtogetherca971]

Thank you, just awesome videos.. Really important knowledge is spread and lessons learned

[@carolgibson-wilson4354]

Thanks again 😃

[@lynxacresb5331]

is there a book or website with good information on different types of rootstocks and how rootstocks work? like dwarf vs semi-dwarf vs full etc.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Several websites of the origin research stations for rootstock. Look up malling or east malling, Geneva rootstock, budakowski rootstock, gisela, ... Google opens vast sources..

[@lynxacresb5331]

i’m wanting to plant seeds to get trees and shrubs started. But the only soil i have is what i’m buying and bringing in. Is there a way to, i don’t know... get poorer soil for starting, or make ones soil poorer?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Just buy a couple of bags of mortar sand, used to mix mortar for bric laying. It’s usually washed beach sand, as poor as you can get. Just make sure it’s just sand with no cement powder.

[@lespiedscarres6321]

Hi Stefan, what a fantastic video. Thanks for sharing! Which scion mecca in France are you referring to? I'd love to check it out :) thank you!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

www.conservatoirevegetal.com

[@StefanSobkowiak]

And the video I made about it: The Mecca of Fruit and Nuts to VISIT

[@GrumblingGrognard]

Any advice on who/what to read about programming seeds into the best trees?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Maybe I’ll do a winter video explaining the process fully.

[@Cris040582]

Great video, thank you Stefan! Could you please give us the name of the farm you visited is France? it would help us a lot! Greetings from Spain! and please...continue!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

www.conservatoirevegetal.com

[@UrbanHomesteadArtist]

Stephan I have a massive ornamental pear growing. We cut it back very hard and then realised we can graft food on it! Can we graft both asian pear and apples on the same tree? Apple on pear? Curious how many graft options are available to this tree. Thank you for your advise. Kayleen

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes other European pears and Asian pears, also apple but seems some apples won’t fruit well.

[@tmzumba]

Listen... if you knew how bad this pear is. HAHAHAHA!! You're so funny. Thank you for sharing your mistakes.

[@doc.christopherthompson324]

. We thank God for your videos, thank ya Jesus.!!! yes&amen HALLELUJAH. HA.HA.HA

[@retajones5278]

Stephan, pain on the scale your reporting in this video…it’s enough to cause depressive episodes. THANK YOU for sharing your hard won knowledge.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Well said

[@ernestrosenkranz7642]

Thanks for your good videos. I need to know where you are from ? Grafting In July or august may be altogether different. in your part of the world than mine. I am on the west side of Washington state, USA. I like the ida of grafting in July & aug. though. Thanks Ernie

[@StefanSobkowiak]

We get first frost usually mid September so they have to get established. Usual start to bud grafting is early to mid August.

[@JP_Ross]

Hi Stefan, you've put a fence around your nursery, but do you have a fence around the whole orchard to protect the trees from deer? If you do have one, how tall is it? I don't remember from my visit last fall.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes a 5’ frost fence around the farm with a hedgerow. The fence alone is not high enough but the trees and shrubs do the job of keeping out deer. Check out premier fence for their 3D fence as a cost effective deer fence that is not intrusive.

[@JP_Ross]

@@StefanSobkowiak I'll do, thanks a lot.

[@taylorthompson5498]

Dose miracle farms still do internships or volunteer opportunities?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes but it will only resume next spring.

[@ambilaevus7607]

Would programming be a possible reason why rooted cuttings fail?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

If the original seed for the cultivar grew in good soil and the cuttings are all grown in very poor soil it can set them back but with the right technique and timing, willow water, hormone, water and some care there should be a percentage that succeed anyway.

[@Stezosledec559]

Did you ever tried to graft with scion turned upside down? So the branches would grow down, or horizontally.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Never tried. Is that what happens?

[@dk2614]

Doesn't work. In college during on of my propagation classes they taught that the tissues are direction oriented. They are one way only. Same with cuttings.

[@achurambabu6694]

Can germination be done in poor soil

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Poor is relative to the type of plant. But yes you can germinate in gravel dust if you give a seed just enough water.

[@briangable08]

Are your pears maybe perry pears for drinking and vinegar?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Those are definitely perry pears.

[@sweetaznspice1]

In regards to a fruit tree's possible outbreak of a disease, wouldn't that primarily depend on the locale in which its planted and not so much an inherent quality of the tree itself?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Locale certainly but genetic predisposition to disease also. Trees are like people, some are more susceptible to diseases.

[@sweetaznspice1]

@@StefanSobkowiak Thank you. I've been binge-watching your videos and look forward to Permaculture Orchard.

[@lynxacresb5331]

do you have a recommended source for tree guards (in canada)?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Hardware stores. Best guards are 1/4´´ galvanized hardware cloth, 18 ‘’’ to 2’.

[@philipadami2478]

Can't find the video about the "Mekka of fruit". How does one find the place? Want to visit

[@StefanSobkowiak]

We took down the video because that place has closed. Sad.

[@ingevankeirsbilck9601]

Was going to ask the same question, I'm in Belgium.

[@jonhybegin8288]

I am a bit confused about nursery. Why would I want to start a nursery? What should I plant? Do I go from seeds? There seems to be very specialized rootstocks business and the price seems decent, are there plants that are easier to grow? Thank you.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Start with fruiting shrubs from cuttings taken now or in early spring or late August (currants, gooseberries, aronia, black currants, goji berries, grape,...). They are the easiest to get going. Then trees some from seed and then grafted or buy or dig up rootstock).

[@jonhybegin8288]

@@StefanSobkowiak I have a lot of aronia (I believe it is red aronia, possibly a wild variety, I am not sure), but they all have black knot disease. It is almost like a monoculture of aronia with some dogwood. What can I do with them? I want to put fruit trees in this spot, can I do something useful with the aronia I'm taking down?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

You can cut them to the ground to renew them. Black knot is something we have just never seen it on aronia. Maybe your blunts are too old and need a renewal. Or you can dig some and move them.

[@jonhybegin8288]

@@StefanSobkowiak Actually, I'm not sure it is aronia. Thank you very much for your help!

[@sharonloomis5264]

There are cider pears that are really hard. You pick and let them play around to soften. I think. Those are probably cider pears. Hard cider pears.

[@dk2614]

Cider pears are also selected for bitterness, astringency, sweetness ect. As they ferment the bitter and astringent flavors transform into flavors that are more desirable.

[@Chris-z6f6k]

I don't know about America but here in Italy, if you buy 10 plants of the same variety from 10 different nursery 99% sure most of them will be different, and that is if you are lucky at least it match the description. Many times you buy a plant and it's not even remotely similar to what it should be, making it obvious that it's not the same. If you buy common things it's easier, but when you buy rare varieties or old one it's an hell.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

wow that sucks. One out of 10 ok but most of them, wow. That shows there is a great opportunity for a reputable and reliable fruit tree nursery supplier.

[@Chris-z6f6k]

@@StefanSobkowiak There are two different problem here. One is there are few reliable nurseries like you said. The second is there are many local or old varieties with the same name spread around the country. For example let's say there is old peach called Della Vigna. It's a red peach and many region have the same kind peach with the same trait and local people call it always Della Vigna, so nursery also call it that way, but Della Vigna in Sicily may be different from the one in Trentino. So you may have tasted the Sicily one and liked and be disappointed when you buy it locally. One time I read a paper about the Peach Michelini in Emilia Romagna, and agronomists found 10 ecotypes only within the region, differing by ripening times, flowering times, tree habit, etc. They were probably propagated by seeds a hundred years ago and kept most of the traits of the parent.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

2 points I see. 1 the type should be called as type and the region it is in tacked on to it, ex Bella Vigna de Sicilia and each regions écotype can be added on. You should aim to find the écotype that is best adapted to your region. 2 try finding that fruit in local markets and keep the seeds to sow on your property, especially for peaches which come close to type.

[@ArunKumar-vd8on]

Would like to work with you for some months if got chance....

[@wildedibles819]

Rabbits love apple sticks :)

[@keithashline505]

Wild Edibles they most definitely do, be sure to use a three foot tall 1/2 hole protective fence around your Nursey, I learned the hard way.

[@wildedibles819]

@@keithashline505 I live in town the only rabbits nibbling on my trees are the limbs I trim up for my rabbits they love them in winter when I trim them up And it's a time they need extra chew sticks People who have pet rabbits will buy apple sticks

[@keithashline505]

That’s kind of you, but, I am trying to grow fruit trees and learning how much the rabbits enjoy them put a hurting on my young trees.

[@wildedibles819]

@@keithashline505 ya that's no good Good luck with growing your trees I had clover and grasses and native flower around mine I believe having easy food around for them helps some when trees are young Good luck again

[@slay3r04]

Hi Stefan, First of all thank you very much for all your amazing videos. We're planning to start a small nursery for various fruit trees from seeds, and I really can't figure out what would be the best way to go about it. We have a small area that's covered with a mix of clover and grass that we're planning to use for that and what I think would work best is to cover it with cardboard, a bit of manure and a thick layer of straw, punch holes in the cardboard and plant the seeds in it this fall. Another way we were considering is to dig the area to incorporate the existing vegetation into the soil, plant the seeds and then mulch it. The goal is to prevent any weeds from taking over as we don't live at the location so weeding would not be an option. I noticed that your nursery is very lightly covered with mulch and you don't seem to have any issues with weeds, how did you achieve that? Thank you very much and keep up the good work!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Hahaha if you watch some of the walkabout videos you see how full of weeds it was. We hand weeded it a couple of times a year then just mow around it towards the bed, hence the grass mulch. The way you mention with cardboard is a good way for a nursery since tilling knocks back the fungal soil aspect. You want fungal soil for a tree and shrub nursery. Just keep mulching but be careful for voles, they can destroy a nursery and love mulch.

[@slay3r04]

@@StefanSobkowiak Thank you very much for the quick reply. I must admit I haven't noticed that in your walkabouts, I guess I just wasn't paying attention. I think I will end up going with the mulch as I don't really want to disturb the soil if I don't have to. I have been thinking about voles and also rabbits as potentially being an issue and I'm considering some kind of net or even a cage around the little trees once they start coming out. Regarding the mulch, do you think sawdust ( not the fine one but bigger chunks ) would make a good covering? I'm asking because it would be quite easy to get quality one here and I really want to avoid getting any straw as it's quite unlikely to get any that hasn't been chemically treated in the area. Also do you think hay ( if I can get some good one ) would work? Considering it may have grass seeds in it? Again, thank you very much for everything that you do!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Check out this Friday’s mulch mistakes video, answers most questions.

[@slay3r04]

@@StefanSobkowiak awesome, looking forward to it.

[@didgeridooblue]

A lot of fruit tastes bad because of its high tannin content. A fruit with high tannin content often makes good wine or cider. Have you tried to make cider or wine from the bad tasting pear?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Exactly thanks

[@Tsuchimursu]

I'm sorry for laughing at the #1 mistake. it's just so sad kind of funny. thanks for sharing this, no one wants to lose years of progress.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

That’s why I need too live longer, to make up for all the lost years.

[@fabricdragon]

the disease resistance... oh man i botched that. i didnt know that cedar apple rust was endemic here...

[@StefanSobkowiak]

It’s a learning process. Don’t give up on those trees, you can always overgraft I have several videos showing how.

[@lutfianna]

The thumbnail is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🤣

[@ZaneMedia]

Haha thank you, I’ve been having a blast putting his recent ones together :)

[@lutfianna]

@@ZaneMedia keep it up, it's great!

[@ZaneMedia]

Lutfianna Dewi I’ve been contracted on for 10 videos sooo we’ve still got quite a few more to go ;) We’re both glad you are enjoying the content and it’s always nice to read all of the positive comments 🙏

[@annaaust8445]

Qu'est-ce que vous pensez du poirier SUMMERCRISP et PATTEN? Le programme ''un arbre pour mon quartier'' à Montreal m'offre ses choix.. question goût /maladie surtout :) Je n'ai pas la chance de goûter aux poires différentes..donc je ne veux pas faire l'erreur de planter et attendre quelques années et regreter, alors je demande a l'expert :)

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Prends Patten, il résiste aux maladies et les poires se gardent mieux. Pour pure goût savoureux prend summercrisp.

[@jennychiltoon7130]

85% of root growth happens in autumn? I cant find any information to back up that theory. Anyone else know more? Links?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

www.csmonitor.com/1987/1013/hroot.html. And reference #7 in this article joa.isa-arbor.com/request.asp?JournalID=1&ArticleID=1925&Type=2

[@jennychiltoon7130]

Thanks for the links, I was looking and found other results. northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/what_do_tree_roots_do_in_winter

[@jennychiltoon7130]

Very detailed information on root growth here. www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/hardtoget/lyr/index.html

[@jennychiltoon7130]

Although its from 1967 !

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes that’s how long this has been proven just slow to be in general knowledge.

[@MsCaterific]

🧡

[@kingjames4886]

so why don't you cut the bad pear back and graft something else onto it? maybe that red pear you wish you had more of?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

You bet. Red is uncommon.

[@sharonloomis5264]

I goofed! They do not play, they sit around. Actually the tablet corrects my spelling. I need to read before I send. Sorry.

[@ghanemghanem7520]

Stay To Me

[@helengren9349]

You could use those 🍐on the ground, for making healthy juice & candy 🍬 😍!!! Use juicer & make juice from all 🍐 with some 🍋 lemon. One can eather freeze or preserve the way suits you best. Freezing is the best way to keep all vitamins 👍😍 If not satisfied with taste, add other fruit that you like. 🍓🍊🍇🍉🍑🍒🍍🍏🍎 If you like sweet juice, stevia sugar is best, instead of ordinary refind. Leftovers kan be used to make candy 🍬🍭: mix leftovers with stevia & use dehydrator or owen, to dry it all! voilà 😍🍬 Bonne chance 🙏 & Bon Appétit 🤤

[@robertjanez7467]

which pear cultivar is he referring to when he says it isn't tasty ?

[@helengren9349]

@@robertjanez7467 I do not know exactely, I am living in northern part of Europe...maybe Stefan could add & share that information here on comments 🤔 I just thought it was shame for all that fruit laying around... Ok, it could be good as fertilizer if left, I don't know.. Or maybe it will attract some animals to the garden.. 🤔 & forgot to mention: one can make marmelade & jam, with mixed fruits as well... 🙏💓💕🌍🌎🌏

[@StefanSobkowiak]

I don’t know the cultivar name we originally collected it because the tree looked so healthy.

[@dannychong6604]

Na

[@FuzzyGecko]

Id like to protect mine from the giant horny deer. Any ideas?

[@Chris-op7yt]

that's pathetic. grafting a horrible pear. i would never make such a silly mistske. maybe we should not take your advice, as you seem more mistake prone than most.