The Fruit and Nut Research and Information Center is excited to announce a new series of educational videos documenting nurseryman Alex Suchan's demonstrations of many techniques required to successfully propagate commercial walnut. The video has been three years in the making and provides in-depth instruction in the “art and science” of selecting grafting wood, performing whip, side whip, and bark grafting, patch budding, topworking older trees, and properly planting walnut trees. There are also sections containing basic information of why and when these operations are done, and the tools needed for each operation. Each segment is stand alone, enabling viewers to choose topics of interest.
Alex Suchan, of Alex M. Suchan Farm and Nursery in Upper Lake, Lake County, California, has been grafting walnut trees since 1948 and offers a wealth of information to novices and experienced propagators, alike. The idea for this video came from Alex's grafting demonstrations held each May in Upper Lake, and for which UCCE has acted as co-sponsor and often co-presenter on topics related to walnut production. Attendees have included commercial farmers, nursery personnel and amateur/backyard orchardists and grafters, including UC Master Gardeners.
The video series was narrated and produced by
Rachel Elkins, University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Lake and Mendocino Counties,
Carolyn DeBuse, formerly UC Farm Advisor in Solano and Yolo Counties (now with USDA), and UC ANR Communications Services Senior Producer/Director – Digital Media,
Ray Lucas. Rachel has been conducting research and working with walnut, pear, and other tree crop growers on the North Coast for over 27 years. She orchestrated the development of this unique video series in response to demand from other farm advisors, extension personnel, researchers, and industry who were unable attend Alex's demonstrations and/or who desired follow up instruction. Ray Lucas filmed, assembled and edited each video in the series.
The new video series can be viewed on the Fruit and Nut Research and Information Center website here.
