Scion Exchange

Today I went to my first Scion Exchange, hosted by the Golden Gate Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers. The idea is that people bring in 'Scion' wood (which can then be grafted onto various rootstocks) which other people can then take samples of. I had never been to such a thing, and have only recently been inculcated into the ways of the rare fruit (by a fellow Williams alum and climber), so I didn't really know what to expect. I arrived early to try to help set up and get some words of wisdom before the unwashed masses arrived and was immediately given the task of alphabetizing the European plum scions. My first impression was amazement at the number of available varieties of both Asian and European plums. It turned out that the number of apple scions was even larger, but I was quite impressed nonetheless. Thankfully, my Williams friend turns out to be something of a fruit Yoda, and he very generously took me through the plums, quinces and pears and told me which ones tasted good, produced well, produced early/late, etc. etc. Basically, I would have been awash in a sea of sticks if it were not for him. I regret it now, but I didn't pick up any apple scions, despite knowing where some good rootstocks are up in Alta, but there is always next year. I did pick up Seckel and Des Urbanistes pears, Elephant Heart, Beauty, Santa Rosa, Satsuma, Golden Nectar, Inca, Catherine Bunnell(sp?) plums and an Aromatanaya quince. Some people brought in samples of fruit as well, and I tasted two different white sapote, some feijoa and passionfruit (all delicious). The CFRG also offers a short class in grafting basics, which was quite helpful.