Sat, March 14, 2015 1:30 AM - 4:00 AM UBC Point Grey Campus. $29.75 members, UBC students & UNA; $35 public. Most temperate tree fruits we grow in our gardens are grafted. During this workshop you will learn how to:
create a new tree from a rootstock and dormant scion wood
add a variety to an existing tree
completely change the variety of a tree and
repair trees with trunk damage
Grafting wood (scion material) is usually collected in January or February when the trees are dormant. Dormant scions are stored in a fridge to keep them dormant until just before trees start to grow in March. Collecting scion wood, rootstocks, grafting tools and materials and safe handling of knives while grafting will be discussed. Several types of grafts will be demonstrated and you will have an opportunity to do some grafting.
Instructor: Richard grew up on a small commercial orchard in the Okanagan Valley where his fascination with horticulture began. After completing a Plant Science degree at UBC he travelled through the South Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand for 2 years working on fruit farms, nurseries and visiting many agriculture research centers. Back in Canada he worked as a contract pruner, landscaper, and commercial tree fruit advisor before joining the BC Ministry of Agriculture as an Extension Horticulturist in 1979. With the Ministry he worked as a production advisor to the Tree Fruit, Christmas tree, agroforestry and specialty crop sectors across the province. Since retiring in 2010 he has been developing a business focused on teaching home gardeners, institutions and small land owners about tree fruit culture, espalier tree training, bonsai, grafting and organic pest and disease control. Most of his work is one-on-one consulting and training of home gardeners. He is a Registered professional Horticulturalist and a Certified Arborist.
Important Notes: Before you do any grafting you will be required to sign a waiver, knife cuts are common when grafting. Please bring a grafting knife or a small sharp thin bladed knife with you.