Re: A possible solution to fusarium wilt

Hi Mark,
 
Thanks for your reply. I have come across an article in a plant propagation book that shows a technique for grafting herbaceous seedlings with a very simple yet effective method.  A splice graft is made with young seedlings and then the graft is covered by a plastic tube(something like an aquarium air tube) with a slit along the side to remove it when the graft is healed. The plant is then placed in a high humidity area to reduce wilting. This technique is used for various types of soft herbaceous plants and has good results. At least this proves that it is possible but says nothing about individual species compatibility. I have also read some agricultural journals where methods of grafting melons are discussed to avoid fusarium and it appears to be an effective technique for them.I am going to try this method on some extra seed over the winter to see if I can refine the technique.
 
I would love too find a better way to deal with fusarium but from what I have read and others have told me it is almost impossible to get rid of in the garden once established.
 
Thanks again,
John
 
Well, here goes:
 
Most grafting is done on woody plants, which when looking at a cross-section, would appear solid. Don't know about "young" AG's but more mature vines are usually hollow, except at the leaf nodes, which eventually become hollow. Don't know if Hubbard or Butternut is hollow or solid, but you start to see some of the problems. Also, there is much complexity to the cross-section of a vine that we never think about--some layers provide structure, some transfer water, etc. An easier way to look at this (please bear with me on this) is if both you and your neighbor each accidentally cut a finger off while working outside. Can you switch the severed piece with him? what would the result be if doctors could sew yours on his, his on yours, etc? what about the nerves, would an experienced doctor be able to match yours to his, his to yours, etc. This is wierd enough already, but now add this: what if one has a structural piece (the bone) and the other one didn't have the bone remaining, as in the hollow vine-solid vine example? SO, some of these things may matter or come into play:
Structure/solidity
Layers
Cell duties
Unmatched/mismatched tissue, layer, etc
 
Sounds kind of complicated for a pumpkin grower to figure out all the answers. Maybe keep the grafting to the experts or the Orchard guys and figure out a better way to get rid of the Fusarium. Just my 99 cents. Hope it may help without causing a big debate on this soon to be winterized forum/list.
 
Mark
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