Recommended rootstocks for the grafting of fruit trees are always difficult to acquire. Boone County has had a standing order with a rootstock nursery in Oregon. Due to the pandemic we tried to alter our order for early spring 2021. Unfortunately they had already shipped. At the time of receiving our order of rootstock we were restricted from holding in person classes. The rootstock was placed in our Cool Bot refrigeration unit.

Thankfully in March we were able to hold in person classes with a maximum of 10 with social distancing and masks required. We held 6 classes with a maximum of 10 persons per class. We held these classes over a 2 and half week period with several classes on Saturdays and in the evening. 3 classes were offered individually to 4 commercial orchard operators.

Prior to the classes scion wood was collected at area orchards as well as at an Ohio orchard which specializes in antique cider apples. Wood from these trees was grafted on disease resistant Cornell rootstock. These varieties will now be preserved and will be available. 

A special class was made available for Northern Kentucky Master Gardeners. 7 Master Gardeners attended and grafted 72 trees. 46 of these grafts were successful. They grafted cider varieties as well as dessert quality apples. Each Master Gardener took home a tree and the rest were donated to community gardens in the Tri. State. 

Leftover rootstock was potted up by master gardeners and will be used for grafting in 2022.