Tony

I have been propagating the tigertooth using root cuttings and my success rate is fairly low. Some may be my technique, but I'm sure some is due to the fact that they don't propagate from the root system as readily as the wild rootstock.

Using rootsuckers for propagation of root stock for grafting is common. If you look at Roger Meyer's web site you see he digs up root stock suckers and sells them for grafting.

In my application, I will not be able to guarantee mowing to control suckers so I will only be using Jujube on their own root stock. If they do sucker, the trees should be the same quality as the parent.

I plan to continue to propagate tigertooth through root cuttings and will graft other varieties to the tigertooth rootstock to add variety. So far I've grafted Silverhill (which may or may not be the same as tigertooth), and Redlands #4 with success.

I plan to try a new propagation method this winter. I will be ordering some suckers for grafting along with scions of my desired varieties. I plan to graft them and then plant them in rootmaker 1 gal pots but only fill them part way. After the grafts take and are well established, I plan to score them above the graft and apply rooting hormone to them. Next I'll fill the container to a level that covers the graft. I will then insert a piece of air and water permeable landscape cloth in the pot and then fill it covering the scoring and rooting hormone.

My theory is that the native rootstock will keep the tree alive allowing plenty of time for roots to form above the graft. I believe the landscape cloth will allow enough water and nutrients to make it to the rootstock roots to keep it going but that the mix above the cloth will be a better environment further encouraging root growth above the graft. The container itself should prune the roots constraining the rootstock roots when they hit the container edges. When I think enough time has passed, I'll transplant it to a larger container pruning the roots below the graft site. I'll prune the top growth to better match the reduced root system.

Time will tell if this will work If so, it will allow me to get a number of varieties on their own roots for evaluation.

To stimulate the root suckers to grow the top, run sharp blade in the soil and sever the roots. When the roots are their own, they will send the top growth. This can be done easily with established jujube orchard. Run the machine along the rows....

Some success has been reported with cuttings. Some chemicals are used to control the diseases.

Grafting is still the way to go with commercial propagation. I believe nurseries can have some grafting machine and the success rate is very high. Nurseries can't make a profit if they sell grafted grape vines and apple trees for less than $10 each if they have to graft them manually and the success rate is low.

Nothing I'm doing will replace the commercialized propagation. It is really for a specialty application (wildlife) where trees will not be maintained in the long run.

Yes, you are absolutely right and I tried to keep them from leafing out as long as possible. Jujube are just very slow to root from dormant cuttings. I did the old keep the tops cold and provide bottom heat for the roots thing I do with other cuttings. Jujube like persimmon are just very tough to root from dormant wood or vegetative cuttings.

I think I just got lucky with the one that seems to have rooted.

I do not know how he did it....

I've searched the literature and have not found anyone with a process that has good success rooting the varieties of jujube in the US from dormant or vegetative cuttings. It is obviously possible since I was apparently able to do it with Tigertooth, but it was 1 out of 20 or so.

It also may be possible to air layer it. I know Tony is trying to air layer another hard to propagate via vegetative or dormant cuttings tree, American Persimmon.

I think what I plan to do is roughly equivalent to air layering. Air layering keeps slow rooting scions loosely connected to the root system of the tree to support them long enough for roots to develop. That is essentially what I will be doing.

If you've had success with Jujube and/or American Persimmon, please post your results. Maybe I've been doing something wrong.

I could not find any indication on the link that they sell any varieties on their own roots. If you just want to buy grafted jujube, there are lots of sources. I'm not sure anyone has more varieties than Roger Meyer.

The source I found for Tigertooth on its own roots was Just Fruits and Exotics.