Grafting Large Diameter Asian Pear Scions – May 2023

We had the need to graft a relatively large diameter scion of an ‘Asian Pear – Okusankchi’. The scion was from a tree grafted about 4 years ago. The branch just about the graft joint had been snapped off, and there was no buds above that graft joint that could be grown on.

We were out any large diameter rootstock, but we managed to find some shoots low down on a existing asian pear pear, of the same diameter.

We managed 2 grafts on 17-Mar-23, these were just a splice (whip) graft of 12mm diameter.

In the photo above the graft itself was sealed with parafilm grafting tape, and then the whole scion was covered in sealant. We thought maybe the sealant was going to be too hard for a new bud to shoot through it. But obviously we were wrong.

As you can see both scions have taken (photos above), with good shoots on 6th May. They were well away, with a shoot over 30cms long (photo below) on 21st May.

Asian Pear – Okusankchi

Okusankichi translated means “Madame Luck”, which is a traditional Japanese variety from mid-19th century. Its season is very late, and its taste is sweet but tart. It stores well and the flavour improves with storage.