Topic: Pomato challenge?

[galina]

Should my outdoor potato and Arany Alma splice work out, feeding should be no issue as they are right next to a compost dalek and get all the run off and extra warmth too. 

Having read how I should have done it, I remembered that I had 2 chitted potates hanging around that somehow didn't get planted.  Well, they are planted into pots now for the purpose.  One looks like a Sarpo, the other is unknown. 

Would the Sarpo base confer any blight resistance?  Now that would be a good reason to get good at grafting, rather than just for the novelty.

Thanks Chris for telling us about your experience.  Well, before feeding it, the grafts must take!

Is my trusty kitchen devilparing  knife up to the job, or should I get a razor blade? 

[Jayb]

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Interesting choice using determinates
Well...it was mainly because I had best matching (by size) material with those varieties....and then I thought...those 2 varieties being better for outdoor cultivation and potatoes being happiest in ground too..perhaps it will work well?!
Should I strike lucky with the cuttings...I shall try growing some in buckets and some planted in ground...like a proper trial 
First time I used those clips..I have had them stashed away for some time but never got round to playing with crafting...so I'm pleased you started me on with this.
I'm just looking to get some more.....maybe it will be something I shall do more in future..
Btw..saw some crafted cucumber plants in garden centre....now I wonder what kind of rootstock they've used with those....any ideas?

Looking good 
I'm glad you are doing determinates as I've mostly got indies available.

Lol, just started you a new thread for rootstock, the link you give is one I'd come across too!

[Jayb]

I was wondering about 'what if the tops get rooted too situation'...would it be advantage in case the potato 'thinks' its done its deed but the tomato would still want to carry on... ...'rocket fuelled arse tomato' sounds tempting..
Lol....must remember to make some more fertilizer...

I had a look and the growing instructions on T&M site and they say to plant deeply, up to the second leaf on the tomato plant. This would mean the tomato stem also roots and starts to feed and water itself.

[Jayb]

Thanks Chriscross, really helpful info 

[Jayb]

Would the Sarpo base confer any blight resistance?  Now that would be a good reason to get good at grafting, rather than just for the novelty.

Is my trusty kitchen devilparing  knife up to the job, or should I get a razor blade? 

I don't think added blight resistance could come from the roots to the leaves although if blight were to strike I assume any tubers would retain there varieties resistance. An interesting one to ponder!

I think a better cut is achieved with razor and it's what I'll be using but perhaps not necessary?

[Jayb]

1, Tomato suckers of different sizes
2, Matching up stems
3, Graft held in position
4, Hopefully a success!

[Jayb]

I've had my pomato grafts in the airing cupboard inside a plastic box covered with a bin liner to keep up humidity plus I've misted them a couple of times a day. I'm going to place them in  shady spot in the poly-tunnel today and fingers crossed they won't curl up and die.

Not much to say really at the moment they look ok, one is droopy and I think unlikely to make it, I may try making a fresh graft with it. The potato rootstock are growing at an amazing pace already roots coming out of the bottom of some pots!

[goodlife]

It is day 4 for the new plants-to-be and all still upright, though still inside 'sealed' plastic bags.
Tomorrow I'm going to 'open' the bags, still keeping them on but allowing some fresh air inside too. I suspect I will then truly know which ones have some hope for their craft unions.

This waiting game is quite exciting.... No..I'm not 'sad' just tad plant mad..

[artichoke]

It's great fun reading about all this, thanks! Hope you keep posting, with such beautifully clear pictures.

[Jayb]

It's great fun reading about all this, thanks! Hope you keep posting, with such beautifully clear pictures.

 Glad you are enjoying our antics!

I'm finding it helpful having a few people 'graft' together to share progress and ideas 

[Jayb]

A few of my Pomatoes are really taking off and are growing strongly now. Some are making small progress and several have withered and died. I think the main problem with the failures using grafting clips, has been although I matched the stem size fairly well the potato part had quite a short and thick stem which didn't allow the grafting clip to sit properly? Only one of the super-glued grafts has taken, I don't think my cuts were accurate enough and I was a bit hit and miss with the glue - I'd need more practice to try this method again.

I'm going to have another go with the ones that didn't successfully graft as they have all sent up new potato shoots which I'll use to practice with again.

[galina]

2 done with scalpel blade, hands shaking all the time (I'm not cut out for this and need a lot more practice!) - now the wait begins.

I used the method goodlife suggested - making a slanting cut on the tomato stem, then another on the other side, trim the base and insert into a straight slit into the tomato stem.  The stems weren't particularly matched, because you are only supposed to use the growing tip of a tomato plant which has a thinner stem.  We'll see.

Sorry you had some losses but how good to have a lot of success too!  To see them take off and thrive is super.   

[goodlife]

I had first time luck...all 4 took !

I had couple that stems weren't that thick and the clips felt little loose around the stem..so I took some jute string..undid a length to get just one strand of it..tied around the craft joint (yes..very fiddly job) to make it bit thicker and then attached the clip on.
I haven't taken any clips off yet...the plants are looking ok and they haven't really started to put huge amount growth yet so I'm waiting until they are just about to 'burst' the clips before trusting the crafts are strong enough.
I learned my lesson with apple crafts and removing the 'wrapping' too early.....

I didn't make any fancy cuts...just straight forward slanting ones ..tried to make them 'extra slanting' to give as large surface area as possible..

[winecap]

Good advice on using the bag to raise humidity. Only wish I'd read it before I started. I've made three pomatos, putting brandy wine onto pentland javelin. Unfortunately I started just before it turned really hot and they definitely didn't like the heat. One down, but the other two seem to have survived. I had a long think about which potato/tomato combination to go for and then just used what was on hand. I am interested to see how the performance compares with the normal plants. No feeding for my plants though beyond whats in the soil.

[galina]

2 done with scalpel blade, hands shaking all the time (I'm not cut out for this and need a lot more practice!) - now the wait begins.

I used the method goodlife suggested - making a slanting cut on the tomato stem, then another on the other side, trim the base and insert into a straight slit into the tomato stem.  The stems weren't particularly matched, because you are only supposed to use the growing tip of a tomato plant which has a thinner stem.  We'll see.

Sorry you had some losses but how good to have a lot of success too!  To see them take off and thrive is super.   

Got it wrong - no doubt you spotted it - insert straight into the  p o t a t o   stem.

[Jayb]

Good advice on using the bag to raise humidity. Only wish I'd read it before I started. I've made three pomatos, putting brandy wine onto pentland javelin. Unfortunately I started just before it turned really hot and they definitely didn't like the heat. One down, but the other two seem to have survived. I had a long think about which potato/tomato combination to go for and then just used what was on hand. I am interested to see how the performance compares with the normal plants. No feeding for my plants though beyond whats in the soil.

Excellent 
I started off using a regular black bin liner and then used a green recycling one to let in some light. When mine were still in intensive care they got a spray mist a couple of times a day too. Sunlight too soon is a sure killer, I lost one plant which was just on the edge of the shady spot I had mine in and it just got a little too much light.
Oops, I haven't really thought it through where I'm going to plant mine, I don't think I'll want to plant them all! I would think they will be quite heavy feeders to support both crops?

[Jayb]

2 done with scalpel blade, hands shaking all the time (I'm not cut out for this and need a lot more practice!) - now the wait begins.

 

Sorry you had some losses but how good to have a lot of success too!  To see them take off and thrive is super. 

Thank you 
But in a way the loss of some is good as it's taught me quite a bit, which I hope will be useful for future grafting 

[Jayb]

I had first time luck...all 4 took !

I had couple that stems weren't that thick and the clips felt little loose around the stem..so I took some jute string..undid a length to get just one strand of it..tied around the craft joint (yes..very fiddly job) to make it bit thicker and then attached the clip on.
I haven't taken any clips off yet...the plants are looking ok and they haven't really started to put huge amount growth yet so I'm waiting until they are just about to 'burst' the clips before trusting the crafts are strong enough.
I learned my lesson with apple crafts and removing the 'wrapping' too early.....

I didn't make any fancy cuts...just straight forward slanting ones ..tried to make them 'extra slanting' to give as large surface area as possible..

Top grafter, well done you 
I've left the clips on for the time being too.

[Jayb]

Got it wrong - no doubt you spotted it - insert straight into the  p o t a t o   stem.

Lol, missed that 

[Jayb]

Sorry the picture is not very clear, but it is of a graft using super-glue which is just starting to peel away to reveal a rather lumpy looking join!