Normally, Scion Exchange season is the most hopeful of the year. We prune our trees in gratitude for what they have borne for us, share our scions in gratitude for the friendship and fellowship we have found at CRFG and then graft our trees or rootstocks with exciting dreams of new crops in the not-to-distant future.
This year, however, as we reel from fires still not entirely under control, at the total loss of at least two members homes and with no idea of the impact of heat, smoke, retardant and salt water on other still-evacuated members’ homes and gardens, it is very hard to muster the traditional joy.
Nonetheless, because fruit growers — by the nature of what we do — are always looking to the future, we will press on. In fact, we will do more than press on. We will dedicate this Scion Exchange and all of 2025 to Propagation. Whether or not we want more trees in our yards, we are going to make them. So that when Bruce and Susan and whoever else needs them are ready, we will have them for them. So we all can be grateful and joyous again.
Obviously, Bruce won’t be doing his inimitable grafting demo this year, but Ajmal, Sagi and (hopefully) Arnie all will. Scions should be brought to the MultiPurpose Room between 9:30 and 10:00. Members who bring in scions to share will get priority at choosing other ones, followed by chapter members and then by non-members.
Please please please, if possible, renew your memberships online before coming. It cuts down on the utter chaos (and lines) at the entrance. You can renew your chapter membership here
Instructions on how to cut and store scion wood are here. No citrus or curry leaf (because of huanglongbing disease) or patented varieties, please!
We are still trying to figure out if we can try hands-on grafting under Arnie’s tutelage as we did before the Pandemic. It mostly has to do with whether we can obtain sufficient rootstock. Stay tuned.
Location: MultiPurpose Room, Culver City Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City
