E-mail Contacts

Andy Meyer, Manager

Julie Meyer, Retail

Bill Meyer, Cider and All About Apples

Marlene Meyer, Web Site

Updated April 2008

The first photo on the left below shows opening the cambium layer of the established tree. The photo on the right shows inserting the grafts into the stump. Lower photo on the left shows wrapping the grafts with tape. Lower right photo shows four new grafts set into stump, and protected with tree sealant. This method of grafting makes possible quicker production by utilizing the root system of established trees.

I have decades of experience in: appraising, consulting, grafting, pruning, budding, spray programs and orchard planning. Let's discuss varieties - your own family favorites or heirloom varieties. I have worked for large and small orchards, retail, wholesale, organic, hobby orchards, and in cider production.

If you think your operation could benefit from experience, new observations, and just plain conversation, or an orchard evaluation -- then contact me at All About Apples. 58 years of experience.

Grafting fees; Approximate costs:

• Whip Graft: $2.00 (less than one inch in diameter)
• Bark Graft: $2.50 (greater than one inch in diameter)
• Bench Graft: $1.50 per graft, plus cost of rootstock at market price, plus shipping and handling.
• Royalties: I am licensed to propagate the following varieties: Honeycrisp and Zestar are now $1.35. Dandee Red royalty is $1.00, Linda Mac $1.00.
• Pruning fees are mutually negotiated.
• Mileage fee will be <>$.40 per mile, based on current price of gas.
• Pruning and grafting lessons: $30.00 per hour or part of hour, plus mileage.
• Appraisal, evaluation and consulting: $30.00 per hour or part of hour, plus mileage.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUTTING AND MAILING SCION WOOD

If you are cutting scion wood for mailing, the photo on the left shows the type of wood that should be cut to provide scion wood. One year old terminal growth has the best characteristic for successful grafting. The length of the cut stems should be 1' to 2' long, and the thickness of a pencil at the mid point of the stem. The cuts should be made before any growth takes place, before April 1st, then wrapped with wet paper, and placed inside a plastic bag, kept below 40 F until mailing. It takes 3" - 4" scion wood per graft.

The photo on the right shows the scion wood grafted to the rootstock. When the grafted trees are received, always handle the tree below the graft, and kept below 40 F, but above freezing, before planting.

For the spring of 2008, All About Apples will offer bench grafted trees with the variety of your choice on rootstock of your choice (subject to availability). For prices, I need to know variety, rootstock and quantities and who will furnish the materials, plus time required to complete.

Demonstration of summer pruning of over vegetative Honeycrisp on scion rooted MM 26. Note chainsaw girdling on tree on right, also note increased amount of light coming through.

Left photo shows bark grafts placed in cambium layer. The fabric softener sheet is a deer repellent. The photo on the right shows 1 - 2 feet of growth on the bark grafts by mid summer.

Sources of Pest Management Supplies.

Great Lakes IPM 10220 Church Rd., Vestaburg, MI 48891, Ph: 800-235-0285, traps & lures.

IPM Tech Inc. 4134 N. Vancouver Ave. Suite 105, Portland OR 97217,Ph: 503-288-2493, traps lures.

Ladd Research Co. 131 Dorset Lane, Williston, VT 05495, Ph: 800-451-3406, apple maggot traps.

UAP Great Lakes N15721 Schubert Rd., Galesville, WI 54630, Ph: 608-539-2090, traps, chemicals, etc.

Trece Inc., 1031-C Industrial St., Salinas, CA 93091, Ph: 831-758-0204, pheromone lures & traps.

Beneficial Insectary, 9664 Tanqueray Ct., Redding, CA 96003, Ph: 800-477-3715, lacewing, wasps.

Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc. PO Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93022, Ph: 800-248-2847, beneficials.

Applecraft Orchard Supply, 5253-45th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55417, Ph: 612-728-8095

BioQuip Products, 17803 LaSalle Ave., Gardena, CA 90248, Ph: 310-324-0620

Gemplers, 100 Countryside Drive. Belleville, WI 53508, Ph: 800-382-8473

Spectrum Technologies, Inc. 23839 W. Andrew Rd., Plainfield, IL 60544, Ph: 815-436-4440

Photos by Bill & Marlene Meyer, and Norma Meyer