Handling and Keeping Scions
Scions of nut trees for grafting should be handled carefully to avoid rubbing off the buds, although this is not so important with nut trees as with fruit trees, for the reason that the more important nut trees such as the various walnuts, pecan and hickories have compound buds and if the larger buds should be destroyed the secondary buds may be counted upon to grow. The scions should be tied in bunches of a convenient size to handle and, after being well tied and carefully labeled, should be packed in paper lined boxes that will prevent evaporation of moisture in the parking material. Any material that will absorb and hold moisture and that will not heat when bulked, will answer the purpose for packing scions, but we have found sphagnum moss to be the best material for this purpose. This material can be obtained from the local florists or dealers in cut flowers usually. Sphagnum will absorb a good deal of moisture without actually becoming wet and will also hold this moisture and give it off more slowly than any other packing material with which I am familiar. This is especially important in keeping scions of nut trees in good condition for grafting, because, if packed too damp, the scions are soon spoiled for grafting, even if kept at a low temperature.
As a precaution against fungi, we usually use bordeaux mixture, two thirds standard strength, to dampen moss for packing scions, especially if they are to remain in storage several months.
Our rule is to use moss only slightly damp to the touch and if used in sufficient quantity, say two or three times as much bulk as we have of scions, we find no trouble in keeping scions in perfect condition for months. In fact, as an experiment, we have carried pecan scions in cold storage and without re-packing for fifteen months and then get a fair stand of grafts to grow.
We usually advise putting scions in cold storage where convenient, especially if they are for use in late May or June, but this is not at all necessary if the scions are packed in moss only slightly damp. In fact scions kept in an ordinary cellar at a temperature around 50 degrees have given us better results on the average the past two years than have those from cold storage.