Multiple-Budded Fruit Tree: Peach, Plum, Nectarine

Most of the multi-budded fruit tree is peach, apricot, nectarine, or pear...My father-in-law once grafted multiple types of apple in one tree. I guess this is a new generation of multiple-budded cocktail fruit tree with plum, peach, and nectarine combination, please see (1) & (2) photos. The fruits are getting larger; some branches grow to different heights with dominant leaders on one side. Right now it is 6' tall; it probably needs pruning during fall season to keep the tree small and manageable.

So, what to do when pruning the fruit tree next time? Don't throw the branch away, try the drafting or budding technique, who knows probably miracle will happen ;-)






Useful links:
University of Missouri grafting technique (this is the best one)
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6971
According to Rothenberger and Starbuck @ UM, most varieties of a particular fruit or flowering species are interchangeable and can be grafted. Grafting techniques can be divided into two basic types, which are largely determined by the size of the understock. In some cases, a graft may be made to join a scion and understock of nearly equal size. The other type attaches a small scion to a much larger understock. In this case, several scions may be attached to the understock as in cleft or bark grafting.
Materials needed:

• Knife

• Grafting wax - After the graft is made, some covering must be used to keep it from drying out.

• Grafting tape - A special tape with a cloth backing that decomposes before girdling can occur. Tapes may be used for binding grafts where there is not enough natural pressure. Electrical and masking tapes are also

• Budding strips are elastic bands. They look like a wide rubber band that has been cut open.

• Nails - Veneer, bridge and inarching grafts require long, thin nails.

• Grafting tool- a blade used to split the stub and a wedge to hold the split open while the scions are inserted.

*** If you find other grafting or budding techniques and would like to share to all readers/gardeners, please post a comment. I'm happy to invite anyone who would like to leave message and share :-)

North Carolina State University: Grafting and Budding Nursery Crop Plants
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag396.html

Cornell University: Grafting and Budding
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/hort494/mg/reasons/ReasonsGBLeft.html

Grafting Method From Wikipedia: Approach grafting or inarching is used to join plants that are otherwise difficult to join. The plants are grown close together, and then joined so that each plant has roots below and growth above the point of union. Both scion and stock retain their respective parents that may or may not be removed after joining. Also used in pleaching. The graft can be successfully accomplished any time of year.

How To Plant A Multiple-Budded Fruit Tree (Video)

How to prune a 4 in 1 plum tree - California Gardening Forum

Fruit Trees: Training and Pruning Deciduous Trees http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8057.pdf

Nursery: List of multi-budded fruit trees
Custom budding and contract growing

Plum Tree, Peach Tree, Other Fruit Trees Maintenance

From Flowers to Fruits
My plum tree and peach tree set too many fruits, it needs thinning for proper development.
Plum Tree
Peach TreeFruit Trees Maintenance
- needs to remove:
* weak or downward growing branches
* center and top of the tree/ long shoots
* water sprouts in an open area
* cross or interfere limbs that growing towards the center of the tree
* root suckers
* dense and crowded branches
* dead, diseased, or damaged wood

Pruning guide
Fruit Trees Training and Pruning