MidFEx, short for Midwest Fruit Explorers, is a non-profit organization of amateur backyard fruit growing enthusiasts. Most of our members live in the counties surrounding Chicago.
Gene’s 40” apple tree (click to take a tour)
We are crazy about the best tasting, most flavorful fruits that grow well here. We are also interested in growing special, superior and unusual fruits regardless of their appearance or commercial appeal. This includes little known varieties of apples, peaches, pears, plums, grapes and nuts; and more unusual fruits such as the pawpaw, mulberry, persimmon, fig, juneberry, Asian pear, and hardy kiwi. Our members locate, graft, propagate, test, grow and swap these superior fruiting plants, and then get together and share their knowledge.
- Grafting Workshop: Session #1
Event Description: MidFEx member event. Find out what grafting fruit tress is all about. Learn the the whys and hows with experienced grafters. We will also have an impressive amount of scion wood available for grafting. If you’d like more information about grafting see the Grafting Page.
Date: Sunday March 18, 2012
Setup Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon. For MidFEx members only to help setup, prepare rootstocks and to sort scion wood. No experience necessary to help out and much good fruit growing conversation to be had.
Afternoon Session: For the less experienced MidFEx members and their guests. Please arrive on time. Lecture begins at 1:00 sharp. Workshop will last until about 4:00 pm.
Location: Cantigny Greenhouse, at the Cantigny Park and Museum, Wheaton, Illinois. Enter at the Shaffner gate. Go to the Greenhouse.
Parking: Enter at the Shaffner gate on the west side of Shaffner Road about 300 yards south of Roosevelt Road (Illinois 38). If you use any other entrance you’ll have to pay a parking fee and have a long walk.
Event Details: Due to the limited size of the venue, this event is restricted to MidFEx members and guests. Only the individuals actually grafting fruit trees will be allowed in the grafting classroom. Friends, spouses, and children are welcome to explore the grounds during the sessions.
Costs: Our workshop and guidance are free. However you will need to buy rootstock if you want to take home a tree. We will have dwarfing apple, pear and plum rootstock available. Cost is $4 each with free scion wood for MidFEx members. Non-members pricing is $5 which includes two pieces of scion wood of their choice. Grafting requires a very sharp knife with a 2-3 inch blade. Grafting knives and supplies are available for purchase if you would like to continue honing your grafting skills after the workshop is over.
Maps and directions
- Grafting Workshop: Session #2
Event Description: Find out what grafting fruit tress is all about. Learn the the whys and hows with experienced grafters. We will also have an impressive amount of scion wood available for grafting. If you’d like more information about grafting see the Grafting Page.
Date: Sunday March 25, 2012
Setup Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon. For MidFEx members only to help setup or if you’ve had any problems with your past grafts or grafting techniques, then let us help. We will have some of our most skilled members on hand from 11:00-12:00 to answer questions and assist you.
Afternoon Session: This session is open to the public and the less experienced or novice grafter. Please arrive on time. Lecture begins at 1:00 sharp. Workshop will last until about 4:00 pm.
Location: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois. Go to the Linnaeus Room in the Regenstein Center building.
Parking: Parking is free for Chicago Botanic Garden members and members of gardens with reciprocal privileges. If you are not a member of the Botanic Gardens you will have to pay the parking fee. Visit Chicago Botanic Garden’s web pages for details on parking and membership. Chicago Botanic Garden
Event Details: This event is open to the public. Only the individuals actually grafting fruit trees will be allowed in the grafting classroom. Friends, spouses, and children are welcome to explore the grounds during the sessions.
Costs: Our workshop and guidance are free. However you will need to buy rootstock if you want to take home a tree. We will have dwarfing apple, pear and plum rootstock available. Cost is $4 each with free scion wood for MidFEx members. Non-members pricing is $5 which includes two pieces of scion wood of their choice. Grafting requires a very sharp knife with a 2-3 inch blade. Grafting knives and supplies are available for purchase if you would like to continue honing your grafting skills after the workshop is over.
Maps and directions