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Mate what is the trick to graft seedlings for the life of me they either rot or get pushed off the stock, obviously in humid environment. I have near 100% with larger impail grafts but for some reason the seedling graft fails any tips man

My favorite trick to hold seedlings this size on the stock is to simply take a sheet of parafilm or cling wrap and place it over the seeding. Parafilm can be stretched nicely over the seedling and will adhere to itself as well as the stock so it is less likely to slip. Parafilm also breathes very nicely. Cling wrap does not breath so well, but if you remove it after the first 2 days there are generally no problems. This is how I graft seedlings to a stock this size. For a smaller size stock such as Pereskiopsis I often use a clothespin to hold the cling wrap in place if not using parafilm. One must also be careful not to pull too hard on the cling wrap especially as this can smash your seedlings.

 

If you don't like using either of those two methods, don't water your grafting stock for a few days prior to your graft and a few days after grafting and this will improve your chances of success. This graft was done using this last method of simply not watering your Pereskiopsis for a few days before and after. Personally, I prefer to hold my seedling grafts down in place with another material rather than simply rely on this method however. Please understand, when I say hold down in place with a material such as this a gentle approach must be taken as it is very easy to crush a seedling that has its cotyledons still in place. To get an idea of the feel for this, simply cut your seedling and take a square of cling wrap and place it over the seedling. Lightly pick up your seedling with a pinching motion by the cling wrapped outside and place that on your cut stock. Gently fold your cling wrap or parafilm around the stock and then pinch it closed with a clothes pin or a a bit of tape of cling wrap. The parafilm will hold itself closed so it is easier in that regard as well. 

Edited September 3, 2017 by Inyan

Firstly thanks mate for getting back with such great detail much appreciated, I will try the parafilm/cling wrap method and persist until I succeed.  I have a feeling I may in the past been a bit heavy handed and as a result failed I had a lot of trouble getting the seedling to stay still so that wrap and pinch way might just do the trick.

Also is there a particular spot to cut the seedlings? Like half way or 1/4 or something?

I personally like to cut 1-2 week old seedlings at the thickest point, but as low down or close to the roots as I possibly can.I drag the razor blade across in a single long motion to cut rather than push the seedling onto the blade. I can definitely tell you that smashing a seedling while attempting to hold it in place is a fairly common occurrence. Let the weight of the cling wrap do the work for you and above all else take your time. When removing the cling wrap simply remove the clip you are using to hold the wrap in place and allow it to unravel a bit on its own. Truth be told, unless there is a wind or such there really is no need to rush the complete removal of the wrap as it will be free to come off of its own accord once you have unsecured its bonds. What I am trying to say here is it is better to err on the side of caution if you ever feel you are too heavy handed here as well and simply let nature do the work for you.

Update to our little grafted (SS02xSS01) x Red Grandi

Update 15th September 2017