Re: grafted plants

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----- Original Message -----

From: r*@gmail.com

To: m*@ucdavis.edu

Cc: k*@bigpond.net.au

Not at all an expert on Australian plants, but I read on the internet that C. ficifolia is often grafted on to Eucalyptus tessellaris (Carbeen, Moreton Bay Ash) or to C. ficifolia, C.calophylla or C.maculata.  C. filifolia is said to frost tender. It would often be grafted to be able to propagate the particular flower color of the variety. Eucalptus tessellaris is probably used because it will do OK in both saline and clay soils.

On 1/17/07, khe36747 <k*@bigpond.net.au> wrote:

somebody -sorry didn't notice exactly who - bemoaned the loss of a Corymbia ficifolia sapling in unprecedented cold. Having lost several to frost, although they are street trees in nearby Ballarat, which is renowned for its cold, I reluctantly paid a great deal for a grafted specimen that I intended to keep in a pot. However, in the way of these things, it was planted by my spouse and has survived frosts which burnt off other, supposedly, hardier plants. As it is the roots that are not C.ficifolia, does anyone have an explanation for the apparently improved hardiness of the grafted plant?

 

M.Healey

 

PS. appologies to New Zealanders for the smoke, and thanks for the firefighters. Also thanks to Canadians and Californians, or is it Coloradoes or both for fire fighters.

Two million acres so far up in smoke and yet another 'horror' weekend in sight.

It seems quite possible that the stock used is actually chosen specially to increase the hardiness of the scion. This seems to be a likely explanation for not keeping the C ficifolia on its own roots, as otherwise they could just graft special colours on the common red..

 

As to your awful fires this year, curiously, though we have certainly had smoke blown over from Oz in former years we have seen little or none this time. We are full of sympahty for the terrible  damage parts of your country have suffered, but glad we could at least do something to help. I gather that the fires must by now have been brought under control at least for the present and hope this will last.

 

I must say I am glad we don't have any native eucalypts here and only odd plants or small plantations here and there of a few of the species. Their oils certainly make them a sad liability in very dry times.

 

Moira