How to make apple tree sprout above root stock?

[brucep]

Hi there gardeners. Ii bought an apple tree at Bunnings back in early August and it was on special at a reduced price of $40. It had some damage at the top but still had all its buds on the side of the trunk.

It’s now mid October and it has only just started shooting from below the root stock and not on the main trunk. It was supposedly going to shoot back at the end of August but nothing. I have read that if it shoots below the graft on the root stock it will be no good and not bear any fruit. I water it regularly and all the other fruit trees I have planted at the same time have burst into bloom and flowers weeks ago. 
My question is will this ever shoot properly or am I wasting my time? Also can I return it to Bunnings for a refund or replacement? I’m a bit disappointed as I will lose a year if I have to start again next year with a new apple tree. Any advice or tips will be welcome. Thanks

Bruce

[JacobZ]

Hi @brucep,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Did you have any photos of the apple tree that you could share? I trust that what you are saying is correct. I'd just like to have a look at the tree myself to see if there are any good signs.

From your description, unfortunately, it does sound like the scion (grafted section) may have failed. To confirm this, you can conduct a scratch test on the scion. Choose a small section of bark above the graft union and gently scrape away the outer layer with your fingernail or a knife until you expose the tissue beneath. If the layer underneath (the cambium) is bright green and moist, that part of the tree is alive; if it’s brown, grey, or dry, it’s dead. Check several spots moving up the trunk and along any branches. If all the tissue above the graft is brown and dry, but you find green tissue below it, that confirms the grafted top (the scion) has died and only the rootstock is still alive.

There's a chance it is still alive, which the scratch test could confirm, but typically, a deciduous tree should have come out of dormancy by now.

If you find that the scion is dead, you would be entitled to a refund under our Perfect Plant Promise. Details on this policy can be found on the Returns page of our website. Just remove the plant, bring it in store with your receipt, and you will be refunded the original sale price of the plant to go towards a replacement.

Let me know if you have any further questions or require assistance in attaining a refund.

Jacob

[brucep]

Thanks for the reply Jacob

While I was watering yesterday after I posted this I noticed at the very top of the tree a very small shoot. At first I thought it was a bug but on closer look it seems to be a small bud. Now I’ve taken the pictures I noticed another small bud opening on the trunk! I’m hopeful now it may come back above the graft. I’ll send a couple of pictures for you too so you can see what’s going on.

Thanks for your help. 

Bruce

[MitchellMc]

Hi @brucep,

That's looking good. The whole stem is looking quite healthy, and the buds are a good indication that it's just a bit slow to take off. You do need to cut all those lower leaves off, as they are suckers from the rootstock. Cut them off so it directs all of its energy to the stem and new buds, otherwise it will prioritize the lower leaves and growing there, which we don't want.

Mitchell

[brucep]

Hi Mitchell, thanks for that advice. 

I'm glad it’s going to be ok. Seems to have been a bit of a slow starter.

Thanks again 

Bruce