The Blairmont Apple Project

 Or more exactly Compost. Seems like a lot of bio-char in this. Very dry but full of organic matter. Enough structure I should be able to avoid mixing in my woody composed mulch. But it is definitely getting some weathered manure.  Been experimenting with using feed bags. Ended up cutting them into sheets. Then halving them again to use as you see burlap bags used on saplings. Seem to get a pint and a half in the middle. Add the graft. Make sure the roots are centered. Then another pint and a half on top. Burying the roots. Fold up the tips. Zip tie bag around the graft. Then poke drainage holes and let them soak in a tote. I really did not like this. But today; some of the grafts in bags are taking off.  This means I will have to keep putting them in and out of a tote though.  I doubt this will be my go to method. But useful to park grafts to grow a while until suitable pots emerge. I fear to much soil will leech out this way long term.  Very glad the scions I sent to UGA Botanical Ga

 So did a bunch of resting pots with 5-8 scion grafts in each. Finished with 48 total grafts awaiting pots/bags and soil.  They can recover for a week or 2 while I grub up for the next steps. Just feel like I have two much rootstock.  There were a few freebies I grafted on G.214 for mother trees I had not planned on. But used whole sticks. I might cut them tomorrow

 Let our Yard guard Leo out. A Pyrenees / Aussie Shepard cross. He is such a good boy really. If you are in HIS herd. Lol...Do not mess with his herd. Anyway. Got the following done: Hudson Golden Gem , Wickson Crab , Disharoon , Rouville , Golden Harvey , Chicksaw , S.Clair , Devine , Cranberry of North Georgia , Shockley , Parks Pippin , Terry Winter , King Soloman , Norfolk Beefing and Wallace Howard again.  Scratching my head. Have 2 long and 2 short scions I have no clue what they are. Definitely need to get better tags going.  G.214 is getting thinned down, Lots of M111 and P.2 are left. Plan on doing quite a few interstems yet.

 Hope to continue again this evening. Collected up un-used soil. Soil parked the prior batches of grafts. Observed the plants in the garden. Apples had many more noticeable bud swelling. Anna's are finally breaking top buds. Do not know what to say about Wallace Howard. The top graft is really doing great. Organized the girls into a little helper assembly line. Got 2 Yates , 2 Tarbutton , 2 Magnolia Gold , 1 Hoover , 1 Cauley , 1 Piervomaiskoie and 1 Dula Beauty grafted.  1 Tarbutton was my first attempt at Interstem today. An 8 inch section of P.2 on a short M111 base. We will see how that goes. Lastly all grafts today were done with a rooting hormone gravy coat. Just a light coating to promote graft healing. Evening session:  Husk Sweet , Norfolk Beefing. St.Anna Rode de Boskoff , Pionier , Hackworth , Kaido Crab , Orange Cauley , Wallace Howard.

 Manjaro stomach issues calmed done. But still felt blah. Went out and created starter pots. One each for G.214, P.2 and M111 to start cut ends for possible bonus rootings. The girls were more wild; but I got a number of grafts done. I have a lot waiting for pots, bags and soil. So also intend to get scions sent to UGA or die tomorrow. Also moved waiting potted grafts out to the apple patch. Resumed the war with the Pigs and their water barrel. Of course they knock the water barrel over the minute I walk away.

 Started good; cleaning out the rooting tank. The the insipid curse of using Manjaro set in. Can not stray far from a bathroom. Could not eat.  About 4:30 was feeling better. Watered the greenhouse, trees and orchard. Found some Dorset Gold scions that were taken; but fell on the ground apparent. 3 were good and green wood but trying to pop buds. Clefted them onto P.2. Did the same with another pair of Circassian. Had the grafts in a water jar; and darned if 2 Dorsets  fully leafed about 30 minutes later. 

 After chores and all; got out and got a few grafts done. Shockley, Cranberry of Georgia, King Solomon, Park's Pippin, Terry Winter and Yates. Also figured out a rabbit ears graft of Circassian on a big piece of G.214.  Still like the cheapo grafting tool. And the knife sent even though it is a double bevel. I need to get out and re-profile the other two knives. But the included knife keeps up good work..