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Midwest Fruit Explorers
Garden Club for Backyard Fruit Growers
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At our grafting workshop, a MidFEx volunteer shows where to put the final touches on a newly grafted apple tree
Would you like to learn how to create your own fruit trees?  Would you like to create a tree that grows more than one variety of fruit?  Well, now you can.  MidFEx will teach you how to graft!  Grafting is a method of combining compatible plants to form a new plant.  MidFEx conducts yearly grafting workshops to teach you how to graft.  We have done this for over 30 years.  Also, we have online videos and our forum will give you access to experienced grafters to answer your questions.

We teach a whip and tongue graft at the grafting workshop.  Here is a video demonstrating ”T-Bud” and “Chip Bud” grafts.

If you would like to see what grafting your own fruit trees can get you, be sure to check out the video of Gene Yale’s backyard orchard.

Once your fruit tree is established (self grafted or purchased), you will need to maintain it.  Pruning is an annual maintenance that all fruit trees require.  The following is an extreme example of what happens when a tree hasn’t been pruned for many years:  Tutorial: Pruning Mature Fruit Trees
Common Concerns
  • Is dwarf tree fruit different?
  • When is the best time to prune?
  • Dwarf vs. full size tree?
  • Where can I find more grafting information?
  • What variety of fruit tree do I have?
  • How can I protect my trees from pests?
For more than 30 years MidFEx has been presenting grafting workshops in the Chicagoland area.  It’s where our more experienced members pass on their knowledge of grafting fruit trees, free of charge, to all comers.

Grafting is a surefire method of producing a tree whose fruit will be identical to its parents.  Join us at our grafting workshop and create your own apple, pear or plum tree. This is definitely a hands-on workshop.  You can buy rootstock at our workshop, follow along with the demonstration, and leave with one or more fruit trees ready to plant in the ground.
Our afternoon sessions include a lecture-demonstration, followed by a practice session and individual help with grafting.  We will provide scion wood from at least 40 different varieties of apples, 20 varieties of pears, and 10 varieties of plums. Whip Graft

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 will be available for $18 for those that don’t bring a knife or who find that their knife isn’t up to the task.

Important:  Regretfully, space is limited. 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.


Next Workshop Sessions:

../Styles/Images/bulletList.gif  Spring, 2012 at the Cantigny Greenhouse, at the Cantigny Park and Museum, Wheaton, Illinois.  Enter at the Shaffner gate. Go to the Greenhouse.  

    Date-  Sunday, March 18, 2012
    Morning Session-  9:00 am to 12 noon- for MidFEx members with grafting experience or can help out preparing rootstocks and sorting 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.
    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.

    Maps and directions



../Styles/Images/bulletList.gif  Spring, 2012 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois.  Go to the Linnaeus Room in the Regenstein Center building.

    Date-  Sunday, March 25, 2012
    Morning Session-  9:00 am to 12 noon- for MidFEx members only.
    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 (for MidFEx members only).
    Afternoon Session-  For 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.
    Parking- Parking is free for Chicago Botanic Garden members and members of gardens with reciprocal privileges. Visit Chicago Botanic Garden’s web pages for details.

    Maps and directions
Midwest Fruit Explorers, P.O. Box 93, Markham, IL 60428-0093
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