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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2013)
6 in other words january22 2013 Diggin’ in the Dirt: Why Do We Graft Apples? By Chip Bubl You can’t make the cross repeatedly Oregon State University since each time you will get seeds and Extension Service - Columbia County thus plants with mixed genetics and ap- pearance. So you have to clone the new Grafting workshop in February plants, in other words, make an exact The OSU Extension office in St. copy. Many woody trees and shrubs are Helens will be hosting a grafting work- fairly easy to propagate by rooted cut- shop on February 16th from 9 a.m.-12:00 tings. Each cutting is a clone from the p.m. Participants will be taught how “mother” plant. This is the way most to graft apple scions on to dwarf apple woody plants are propagated in the nurs- rootstocks. Each participant will receive ery industry. 5 rootstocks to work with and supplies to secure the graft. Scion varieties will be available or participants can bring their own varieties they wish to graft. Cost of the workshop is $15. The class is limited to 20 people so early registration will assure a place. To register or for more information, call the Extension office at 503 397-3462. Why do we graft apples (and other plants)? New varieties of fruit trees or or- namental woody plants come about from several sources. A farmer or plant breed- er might do a controlled cross, moving pollen from the flower of one variety to the female parts of the flower of another variety. This work is done both commer- cially and in universities to develop new plant types. On the other hand, many va- rieties arise from chance crossings that get noticed once the seedling matures and shows unique qualities. Sometimes, trees produce spontaneous mutations that might affect only one limb and have desirable characteristics like nicer fruit or disease resistance on that limb only. But, then the question is, how do you get more of these new plants? But some woody plants root poorly. But they can be grafted onto a seedling (or other) rootstock. Almost all fruit trees except figs (which root from cuttings easily) are propagated in this way. For years, apples were grafted onto seedling rootstocks. In the fall, the farmer would sow seeds and new plants would emerge in the spring. After grow- ing through the summer, the seedlings would be suitable for grafting next win- ter. Winter was traditionally used for grafting because the success rate is was BE PREPARED FOR WINTER • chains • antifreeze • winter tires mounted & balanced • wipers • generators • kerosene • flashlights • boots • batteries • lamp oil • gas cans • candles • propane Family owned & operated for over 40 years 834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364 higher when the scion and rootstock are dormant when first grafted. The farmer would take the rootstock and make a cut into which he (or she) would stick a piece of the variety (say, Gravenstein, North- ern Spy, or King) they wanted a copy of. The joint would then be wrapped tightly and coated in beeswax or graft- ing “goop.” If all went well, the root- stock and scion (the piece of the variety) would knit together over the winter and next year could be planted out into an orchard. Another technique involved grafting a new variety onto limbs of an existing fruit tree with the ultimate aim of converting the entire tree to the new variety. Today, commercial grafting is more often done by “budding, in which a dormant bud of the desirable tree and is inserted into the rootstock in a small “T” cut. The other big change has come in rootstocks. Some seedling rootstocks are still used, especially for ornamen- tals like Japanese maples. But for apples and most fruit varieties, specialty root- stocks are used. New rootstocks control the ultimate size of the new tree (dwarf or semi-dwarf), may provide some dis- ease resistance, and will come into first fruit much faster than a graft on a seed- ling rootstock. For much more detailed information, see this excellent public- The Extension Service offers its pro- grams and materials equally to all people. Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gar- dening and farming topics (called Coun- ty Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed to you. Call 503 397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/colum- bia/ and click on newsletters. Contact information for the Extension office Oregon State University Extension Ser- vice – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway (across from the Legacy clinic) St. Helens, OR 97051 503 397-3462 Email: chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu Tree Planting Workshop to be held February 8, 2013 OSU Extension Service is conducting a “Plant Your Trees Right” workshop on Friday, February 8 th , from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Scappoose Bay Marina. The class will cover bare-root seedling handling and care, planting technique and follow-up care. It is recommended for small acreage woodlot owners who would like to learn and get hands-on practice in advance of this winter’s planting season. The event is free, but registration is required. Please call the Extension office at 503-397-3462 to register. Participants should dress warmly, as the class will be held outdoors, and bring along their own planting tools. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Vernonia’s Voice is changing publication dates! Starting in February we will publish twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Our next issues will be February 7 & 21. IT’S TAX TIME FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES IN AND AROUND THE VERNONIA AREA Call your LOCAL tax preparer Polife and County personnel are required to use a rotation of available provfiders, UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK for a servife by name. R Y O A LL PL P US LLC REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM tion available free on line from Wash- ington State University: http://cru.cahe. wsu.edu/CEPublications/PNW496/ PNW496.pdf Terry’s Gym Edi Sheldon 503-429-1819 edisheldon@gmail.com Licensed tax consultant • Full service payroll Personal & small business bookkeeping • QuickBooks assistance CORPS, S-CORPS, LLC, Partnerships • Personal one-on-one service LTC #29629 - Oregon licensed tax consultant RTRP #P00448199 - designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information on tax return preparers, go to www.IRS.gov. JOIN THE TEAM! 503-901-1705 16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia
