Virtual Apple Grafting Workshop
SKU: EVT016
$35.00 to $115.00
In this workshop, you will learn the techniques and processes required to successfully bench graft new apple trees. We’ll walk you through the process of splicing dormant scion wood and root stocks. Once the splice is made, the new trees will need to rest and heal under cool and damp conditions, then be planted outdoors. There are few things a gardener can do more gratifying than to graft and grow their own apple trees, and we look forward to walking you through the process.
Item Details
There was a time in America when the ability to increase apple trees through grafting was common knowledge. Imagine a time when friends and neighbors shared their favorite trees freely with each other. And, if you had a tree that was truly wonderful, you could simply graft 10 or 20 more for your own orchard. Through the apple grafting workshop offered by Seed Savers Exchange, those days can return. With a good knife and some practice, anyone can graft new trees.
Note: Apple trees grow best in zones 4-8. Although we will send materials to all contiguous US states and accept all virtual registrations, for best results, we recommend planting apple trees within zones 4-8.
April 15, 9-10:30 a.m. Central: How to Care for Your Young Tree, with Q&A (Sessions will be recorded and available for later use)
Choose your time for small group grafting & knife coaching (all times are listed as central time): 
Lindsay Lee, Seed Savers Exchange’s Orchard and Horticultural Advisor, describes himself as an “old-school nurseryman”. He has logged over 45 years in the ornamental horticulture trades, with 30 of those running Willowglen, a seed-to-sale perennial plant nursery near Decorah, Iowa. Lindsay served as the grafting team leader in 1989 when SSE collected the first trees for its Heritage Orchard. “I believe the knowledge and skill of grafting has been eroding among gardeners,” says Lee. “It is my goal to rectify this by teaching gardeners to graft and share their favorite fruits.”
Note: Apple trees grow best in zones 4-8. Although we will send materials to all contiguous US states and accept all virtual registrations, for best results, we recommend planting apple trees within zones 4-8.
Date & Time
April 14, 9-10:30 a.m. Central: Grafting Instruction with Q&A (Session will be recorded and available for later use)
April 15, 9-10:30 a.m. Central: How to Care for Your Young Tree, with Q&A (Sessions will be recorded and available for later use)
Choose your time for small group grafting & knife coaching (all times are listed as central time):
- Friday, April 14, 10:45-11:45
- Friday, April 14, 12:15-1:15
- Friday, April 14, 1:30-2:30
- Friday, April 14, 2:45-3:45
- Saturday, April 15, 10:45-11:45
- Saturday, April 15, 12:15-1:15
- Saturday, April 15, 1:30-2:30
Save the dates for additional instruction, with Q&A. Registration for these events is included in all three levels of registration:
May 5, 1:00 p.m. Planting Your Tree: Q&A
You will receive a tree planting tutorial video via email prior to this session. This session will be a Q&A to answer any questions you may have after viewing the emailed video.
You will receive a tree planting tutorial video via email prior to this session. This session will be a Q&A to answer any questions you may have after viewing the emailed video.
June 2, 1:00 p.m. Disbudding & Taping Up: Q&A
You will receive a disbudding tutorial video and a taping-up tutorial video via email prior to this session. This session will be a Q&A to answer any questions you may have after viewing the emailed videos.
You will receive a disbudding tutorial video and a taping-up tutorial video via email prior to this session. This session will be a Q&A to answer any questions you may have after viewing the emailed videos.
October 13, 1:00 p.m. Protecting Your Tree for Winter: Q&A
You will receive a tutorial video about protecting your tree for winter via email prior to this session. This session will be a Q&A to answer any questions you may have after viewing the emailed video.
You will receive a tutorial video about protecting your tree for winter via email prior to this session. This session will be a Q&A to answer any questions you may have after viewing the emailed video.
Level I - Instruction only (all instructional sessions, no trees, no grafting kit): $35
Level II - All instructional sessions + Scion Kit $75
Scion Kit includes: 5 heritage variety apple scions from SSE’s historic orchard, 5 rootstock (size M-7, ¼”, semi-dwarf), practice wood, grafting tape, thumb cot, and tree tags
Note: We are not able to accommodate specific variety requests for this workshop. This allows our orchard team to select the best scion available when it becomes time to collect scion. It also allows us to send out lesser known and rare varieties that we may only have a small amount of scion for. You will receive 5 unique, rare, and historic varieties from SSE’s historic orchard. Along with your kit, you will receive names and descriptions of each variety. If you are looking for specific varieties, we recommend going to the Exchange to order additional varieties from IA SSE HF. (Note that varieties requested from the Exchange do not come with rootstock. To learn more about the Exchange, go to exchange.seedsavers.org.)
Please note that scion kits can only be shipped to contiguous US states.
Scion Kit includes: 5 heritage variety apple scions from SSE’s historic orchard, 5 rootstock (size M-7, ¼”, semi-dwarf), practice wood, grafting tape, thumb cot, and tree tags
Note: We are not able to accommodate specific variety requests for this workshop. This allows our orchard team to select the best scion available when it becomes time to collect scion. It also allows us to send out lesser known and rare varieties that we may only have a small amount of scion for. You will receive 5 unique, rare, and historic varieties from SSE’s historic orchard. Along with your kit, you will receive names and descriptions of each variety. If you are looking for specific varieties, we recommend going to the Exchange to order additional varieties from IA SSE HF. (Note that varieties requested from the Exchange do not come with rootstock. To learn more about the Exchange, go to exchange.seedsavers.org.)
Please note that scion kits can only be shipped to contiguous US states.
Level III - All instructional sessions + Full Grafting Kit $115 (Full Grafting Kit includes: Scion kit, grafting knife.)
Please note that your grafting success is dependent on using the right tools. A bench grafting knife has a single bevel with one straight edge in order to create a flat grafting surface on the rootstock and scionwood. If you do not already have your own grafting knife, we highly recommend purchasing one.
Additional Scion & Rootstock Kits: $60
Additional Scion & Rootstock Kit includes: 5 heritage variety apple scions from SSE’s historic orchard, 5 rootstock (size M-7, ¼”, semi-dwarf), practice wood, grafting tape, thumb cot, and tree tags (same as grafting kit above). Order additional Scion & Rootstock Kits
Please note that your grafting success is dependent on using the right tools. A bench grafting knife has a single bevel with one straight edge in order to create a flat grafting surface on the rootstock and scionwood. If you do not already have your own grafting knife, we highly recommend purchasing one.
Additional Scion & Rootstock Kits: $60
Additional Scion & Rootstock Kit includes: 5 heritage variety apple scions from SSE’s historic orchard, 5 rootstock (size M-7, ¼”, semi-dwarf), practice wood, grafting tape, thumb cot, and tree tags (same as grafting kit above). Order additional Scion & Rootstock Kits
Registration Deadlines
Level I: April 7
Level II: March 23
Level III: March 23
Place
This is a virtual class. Registrants will receive an email with a zoom link.
Instructor Profiles
Lindsay Lee, Seed Savers Exchange’s Orchard and Horticultural Advisor, describes himself as an “old-school nurseryman”. He has logged over 45 years in the ornamental horticulture trades, with 30 of those running Willowglen, a seed-to-sale perennial plant nursery near Decorah, Iowa. Lindsay served as the grafting team leader in 1989 when SSE collected the first trees for its Heritage Orchard. “I believe the knowledge and skill of grafting has been eroding among gardeners,” says Lee. “It is my goal to rectify this by teaching gardeners to graft and share their favorite fruits.”Refund Policy and Contact
We can offer full refunds up to March 16. After that time, we are unable to refund your registration.
If you have questions about this event, contact our customer service staff:
- Send us a note
- Call us at 563-382-5990