Fruit tree grafting
What does this course lead on to?
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Please read course information before booking
A ONE-DAY PRACTICAL COURSE
Saturday 9 August 2008
10am - 5pm
Learn how to propagate fruit trees by grafting
Venue
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex), Brighton. Click here for directions to our meeting point at Stanmer Park.
What will the course cover?
The course will encourage participants to develop practical skills in the propagation of fruit trees such as Apple, Pear, Plum and Cherry. We will discuss the commercial production of fruit trees and how fruit trees can be propagated on a smaller scale in the garden. Experience will be gained in the use of a grafting knife, concentrating on the technique of “Chip Budding” to graft an apple variety onto a rootstock.
Background information will be provided on the selection and purchase of rootstocks, collection of propagating material and growing on of the trees. Details will also be given about the availability of all the materials used during the day.
The techniques learned can also be applied to a wide variety of ornamental trees including cultivars of Crab Apple, Flowering Cherry, Mountain Ash, Whitebeam, Ash and Maple.
These skills are useful to anyone who wishes to propagate fruit and ornamental trees commercially, or on a smaller scale in the garden.
The course will also cover the maintenance and sharpening of grafting knives. We will be using very sharp knives which should be handled with great care. A first aider will be available to administer plasters should the need arise.
Course tutors
Tuition will by provided by Peter May who has worked in commercial horticulture, and with community fruit growing projects.
Stefan Gehrels will be assisting Peter. Stefan works on schools environmental projects in Brighton and has some experience of chip budding.
Who is the course for?
The course will be of interest to gardeners and horticulturalists as well as the less experienced. No prior knowledge of grafting is needed. The course is open to anyone over the age of 16.
The techniques taught are not strenuous however much of the work is done bending over or crouched down. You must be willing to spend most of the duration of the course out of doors. However if there is heavy rain we will be able to practice grafting under cover.
What you will need to bring
• A small, sharp grafting knife if you have one. Peter will be happy to advise on knives if you are unsure what type to bring. There will be a limited number of grafting knives available to borrow on the day.
• Warm weatherproof outdoor clothing
• Sun hat & sun screen
• Sturdy outdoor footwear
• Pens and a notebook
• Something to drink
Learning methods
The course will start with a discussion on the techniques used in grafting fruit trees. However, the majority of the course will be devoted to gaining practical experience with guidance from the tutor. There will be plenty of material to practice and gain confidence with, before having the opportunity to make several grafts onto apple rootstocks. By the end of the course, participants will have the practical skills necessary to propagate fruit trees and a variety of ornamental trees. Information sheets will be provided on the day.
What does this course lead on to?
This short specialist course is not accredited and does not lead directly to any other qualification, but would be useful to people working in horticulture or those who wish to widen their propagating skills.
Grafting knives
We would recommend that everyone who attends the grafting course has their own specialist grafting knife. We have a limited number of knives that can be used on the day, but it is always preferable to bring your own.
The best quality grafting knives are made by TINA of Germany. The knife blades are made from a high quality steel which can be sharpened to a good edge. The knives are used commercially in the horticulture industry and are the best available. TINA chip budding knives can be ordered online from www.qualitygardentools.com or telephone 0800 7832202. Models 640/10 and 650E/10.5 are both recommended.
Victorinox also make a practical chip budding knife. These are cheaper but are not such high quality. Victorinox chip budding knives, ref BP39050BP, price £8.38 plus postage can be obtained by ordering online from www.qualitygardentools.com or telephone 0800 7832202.
A good quality, fine wetstone is also essential for knife sharpening and these can be obtained from LSSystems ref SUFN3517 Price £18 plus postage. www.lssystems.co.uk or telephone 01772 815080.
Recommended reading
These books are recommended but it is not necessary for those attending to have bought them or read them.
• Grafters Handbook, RJ Garner
• Nursery Stock Manual. Keith Lamb, James Kelly & Peter Bowbrick
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments, handouts and information sheets:
£115 - Sponsored/organisation rate
£115 - Individual income more than 25k/yr
£90 - Individual income 18-25k/yr
£65 - Individual waged less than 18k/yr
£40 - Individual, concessionary rate
Concessionary rates are available to people in receipt of means tested benefits, students and OAPs.
We endeavour to make our courses affordable to all. Unfortunately we do not receive any external funding and as such rely on large amounts of voluntary input to run courses. In some circumstances we may be able to negotiate fee reductions if you can offer significant other support or facilities.
See the cancellations, refunds and transfers policy.
Booking
Advanced booking is essential. Places are currently available on this course/event unless there has been an exceptional number of reservations in the last 48 hours, so please complete a reservation form rather than contacting us regarding the availability of places as these are allocated in the order received. If places are still available then reservations can be made until midday the Friday before the course/event.
To reserve a place please fill out the online reservation form. When we have received your reservation we will email you to confirm that a place is available and request payment. Payment can be made either online using a credit/debit card or by post with a cheque/postal order. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
Please do not reserve a place if you are not able to pay for it immediately. If your circumstances are exceptional we may be able to make a special arrangement, but please contact us before reserving a place.
Book using the an online reservation form having read the information on this page. We email to confirm your reservation within three days, please check your spam or junk email folder (especially Hotmail account holders).
Contact us
For further information please contact us.