Mamey Sapote (Pouteria sapota) has become one of my favorite tropical fruits since moving to Florida over a decade ago and I am excited that we are entering grafting season again for Mamey. I will need to eat some more fruit so we have extra rootstock for the spring here at ECHO NARIC!
We have found that where the buds are sourced on the tree will facilitate better grafts. We are usually trying to time it right to cleft graft young slender budwood onto young slender rootstock. With this timing we have fairly high success rates.
Good Budwood - All the leaves surrounding the bud are hardened off. The bud is full and plump, but none of the “fingers” (future new leaves) have started to open.
Bad Budwood - Bud is already starting to open and the new leaves are starting to push out.
