Spring grafting of fruit trees
Grafting of fruit trees belongs to the vegetative propagation mode group, which implies mechanical connection and physiological combining of rootstock and scion in order to obtain a new fruit. It is the most spreaded way of modern fruit-breeding.
Time of grafting
Grafting can be done in almost all seasons. Winter grafting or early spring grafting is performed in closed areas where the temperature, humidity and the presence of oxygen have to be regulated properly. Spring months are most suitable for various ways of grafting because of the great activity of cambium and juices movement.Time conditions
The greatest percent of successfull grafting procedure is when the temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, air humidity of about 80% and optimum soil humidity. It is not recommended to perform grafting procedure when it’s raining (when the plant is wet), when the sun is burning and when the temperature is too high (when rootstock and scion quickly dries out).Grafting hygiene
It is necessary to clean rootstock and scion in the grafting area just before making a root section. Grafting procedure must be completed in time to prevent drying of root sections. Root sections have to be made with sharp and clean grafting knife and the places of connection of root and scion must not be touched with fingers.We will describe two simpliest grafting procedures of fruit trees which can be performed at the beggining of the year.
THE WHIP GRAFT
This way of plant propagation distinguish oneself by following features: understock is about the same diameter as the scion of the new cultivar.Cut off a branch of the understock and scion, leaving a stub, and than match the two parts together, tie them tightly using raffia and cover them with grafting wax. This grafting procedure is performed in spring from the time the buds of understock trees are beginning to open, until blossom time.
Scion brunches should be prepared in January, hand grafting or „room“ grafting have to be done during winter and scions are stored in the substrate untill spring in the appropiate storeroom where the callus is formed.
„ENGLISH“ COMBINE GRAFTING
This grafting procedure differes from the whip grafting because on upper third of rootstock and on scion branch you have to make a cut - parallel to the core of a plant (4-6 mm).Insert this two cuts one in another and than eventually tie them up or wax it with grafting wax. This grafting procedure makes a greater wounds to a plant.
This grafting procedure can be used for almost all sorts of fruit trees. It can be done in winter or in spring (march-april) when the rootstock stands still.
Master’s degree Engineer of fruit and wine growing Tonić Dejan
Author of the article: Saša Bugarčić
The source of the article: zdravasrbija.com
