Iowa State University Extension & Outreach will offer four Fruit Tree Grafting Workshops this year. The dates and locations are
- March 27, 6:30-8:30 pm, Polk County Extension Office, Altoona
- March 28, 7:00-9:00 pm, Scott County Extension Office, Bettendorf
- April 2, 7:00-9:00 pm, Henry County Extension Office, Mt. Pleasant
- April 4, 6:30-8:30 pm, Floyd County Extension Office, Charles City
ISU Extension & Outreach Field Specialist Patrick O'Malley will teach the workshops on March 27, 28, & April 2 and ISU Extension Regional Horticulturist Bob Hauer will teach the one on April 4.
Each participant will receive two apple rootstocks and access to a variety of scions (e.g. 'Honeycrisp' plus others). The rootstocks, various scion wood, grafting tape, grafting sealant, and knives, will be provided (feel free to bring in your own knife). The rootstocks offered are Polish 22 (extreme dwarf), EMLA 26 (dwarf) and EMLA 7 (semi dwarf). Only EMLA 26 will be offered at Floyd County site.
The program will start with a presentation on reasons for grafting and the different types of fruit tree grafting. That will be followed by a demonstration of whip and tongue grafting. Then participants will graft two apple trees to take home.
If you have any scion wood (one year old growth) from an apple tree, feel free to bring that in as well. Registration deadline is March 25th and there is a limit of 30 participants per site.
Fee structure is $35 per person or $60 for couple ($30 each for any two or more registering together and includes 2 rootstock for each person). Additional rootstock will be available for a cost of $5 each. For additional questions about workshop content and preparation contact Patrick O'Malley omall@iastate.edu or Bob Hauer bhauer@iastate.edu
Registration details for each site can be found by clicking on the city names above or by going to the ISU Extension statewide calendar.
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