Saturday, June 4, 2011

Healed Graft


Here is the grafted seedling, perky and with the grafting clips removed. Stay tuned for updates! If all goes well, we will have some great heirloom tomatoes this summer.

Healed Graft with Clip Removed

Close up view a healed graft with the clip removed.

The Clipped Graft from Farther Away

Clipped Graft Ready to Fall Off


Here is one of the grafts that has healed. Be patient and don't try to remove the clips too soon. The graft is very fragile, and it is easy to tear the rootstock and scion apart if the graft has not healed strongly enough.

Wilted Seedlings

The video says to keep seedlings in the high humidity healing chamber for about 7 days. If the plants wilt after loosening the lid, put the lid back on the healing chamber and put the chamber in the dark again overnight. The plants will be perky again by morning. Then leave the plants in the sealed chamber for 2-3 more days before allowing air circulation.

Chamber of Darkness

Newly grafted plants must be kept in total darkness for 24-48 hours. I just put the container inside a black trash bag.

Plants Inside Healing Chamber

Healing chamber is just a clear plastic container with a clear lid that I purchased at Target. You need something that will allow light through, but with a tight-fitting lid so that the chamber stays moist.