Dear Tree Croppers,
The next field day will be a workshop on grafting.
It will be at 1pm on Sunday 8th September 2013 at
Eric and Annette’s property in Mangaroa Valley Road, Mangaroa, Upper Hutt.
I need to order rootstock for the grafting so please let me know whether you will attend by Wednesday 17 July.
Eric will demonstrate grafting apples and a few other fruits.
Eric has assembled over 20 varieties of apple scion for you to choose from. You will then be able to have a go.
The branch is providing MM106 rootstock for grafting apples and you will be able to take these home.
Eric will also have some quince stock if anyone wants to try pears or medlar. Eric will make a charge for the root stock if you want to take these home.
You need to bring a very sharp pruning knife. A fixed blade Stanley type knife is fine.
Please do not bring the flexible snap-off type of knife as they can be dangerous with this work.
Retractable blade Stanley knives are not as good as fixed blade ones.
Stainless steel type “Swiss Army” pocket knives are simply not sharp enough. The steel is too soft to hold a good edge.
Hope to see you there.
Julie Winder,
Secretary,
Wairarapa Branch, NZ Tree Crops Association.