Learn the skills of both Grafting and Marcotting in this practical hands-on workshop
This workshop is designed to introduce you to the skills of grafting, as well as marcotting!
The session will consist of an informative talk to help you understand the entire process of grafting and marcotting, followed by a hands-on session where you will get to have a go at practicing these techniques. You will get to try your skill with a grafting knife and learn how to marcot lychees. You will also get your very own marcotted Kwai Mai Pink Lychee tree to keep**
**Your tree will be delivered to Landcare for collection when it is ready for bagging up.
What is grafting?
Grafting is a technique that vegetatively joins two plants into one. Instead of cross-pollinating two plants and producing a hybrid seed, grafted plants use the roots and the bottom portion of one plant (rootstock) and attach it to a tender shoot (scion) from the top portion of another plant. This is often done with trees and shrubs, to combine the best characteristics of the two plants.
Why would anyone go to all this trouble of attaching two bits of plants together? Well, it turns out that this technique has a lot of benefits. Growers can choose different parts of plants that have particular attributes and attach them to other plants!
What is marcotting?
Marcotting, also known as air layering, is a type of plant propagation that involves rooting of part of a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant. Marcotting is one of the oldest forms of plant propagation and is used extensively in South East Asia for fruit trees.
The criteria for marcotting are far less stringent than for grafting, the main essential being good healthy stock. Most trees, especially fruit trees, are seasonal fruits and so are sometimes hard to propagate when they are not in season. By using the marcotting method, these trees take a shorter time to fruit.
What you need to bring:
- Enclosed shoes
- Protective clothing – as this workshop is being held outdoors, please ensure that you are wearing sun-protective clothing, including a hat.
- Water bottle
What’s included:
The workshop will include all other materials and equipment needed. Lunch will be provided but please bring your own water bottle, a small snack if needed and a positive attitude.
About Your Presenters: David & Jeanette Wilson – Rossmount Nursery 
David and Jeanette Wilson have owned and operated Rossmount Nursery and Orchards since purchasing the 14 Ha block of land in 1972. They have been supplying fruit trees to Eastern Australia since 1977. Both David and Jeanette were instrumental in the formation of the Rare Fruits Council of Australia, Gympie Branch and both have been involved in the Australian Persimmon Industry, Gympie Orchardists Association and the Sunshine Coast Subtropical Fruit Growers Association. In recent years these Associations have become commodity based Australian Associations.
In 1978 David was mentored by a Dutchman, and we all know how wonderful this nation has been as Horticulturalists. David has been our Chief Propagator, having mastered grafting late in the 1970’s. For us it commenced with our love of lychees and these were propagated by marcotting or air layering. Over the decades we have grafted, marcotted or grown cuttings for all of the fruit trees imaginable, in other words what our orchardists required. David always considered that if you cannot eat it, don’t plant it.
In 1995, the Nursery commenced its specialisation in wholesale persimmons, which have been sold to orchardists throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. In 1996, they were involved in the First International Symposium on Persimmon Growing in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2000, Jeanette became Secretariat of the Australian Persimmon Association, and continued in this role until September 2013. In October 2000 we were major sponsors of the Second International Symposium of Persimmon Growing at Novotel Twin Waters.
Rossmount continues to be a fruit tree propagation nursery and presently stock Kwai Mai Pink lychees, Jiro Persimmons, Black Genoa Figs, Dwarf Pomegranates, and Avocados. The trees we stock do well in our location. We do not purchase trees from other nurseries. We are Fire Ant Free accredited.
We are always on the search for a fruit tree that exceeds expectations and if we can help you propagate these, please ask.
Note: This workshop is unsuitable for children under the age of 15 years due to technical aspects.
Unfortunately, those who attend on the day with children under 15 will be turned away. We’d prefer to avoid having that awkward conversation with you, so please ensure to make alternative arrangements for your children. Additionally no refunds are provided if participants show up with children under 15.
If you have a child between the ages of 15-17 who would like to attend, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and both participants must purchase a ticket. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that you are still able to join us for this wonderful workshop!
Session Time:
Saturday 7th March 2020, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Where: Ross Creek (Full address will be provided upon registration and payment)
How to Register:
To find out pricing and how to register for our Grafting and Marcotting Workshop, please click here.