I used a razor blade dipped in a bleach solution in between cuts, and sliced each stem at a roughly 60 degree angle. It’s an odd process contrary to typical plant practices. Usually, when I lop the top off of a plant I don’t expect it to grow again. I slid the Brandywine top on the Maxifort rootstock in the clip lining up the angles as best as possible. They were challenging to handle without crushing or getting dirt all of the stem, which I was trying to keep clean. I placed them in 4-inch pots, and set them in the sink filled with a couple of inches of water so they drew up the water from the bottom as Donna from Baker’s Produce in Wadsworth, OH recommended. (I saw grafted tomatoes at their place several years ago, so I’ve been emailing Donna for advice.) After a light misting, I placed a plastic grocery bag over them and set them aside.
I must admit. It wasn’t looking good at first. All of them looked pretty haggard. This morning offered more promise, though. One is probably not going to make it; two look so-so; the fourth is probably going to be okay. One out of four isn’t too bad for a first try. I’ll graft a few more tomorrow using slightly larger plants, and we’ll see how they go!
