Grafting methods
by Wally Ganmor, hibiscusworld.com
Wedge
Graft
I like this technique and use it mostly. The local citrus nursery now
uses it on thin skewer thickness plants with single node "chips". As
before for a rooted cutting, it is necessary to pull upwards with the
left hand while applying downward pressure with the cutting blade at
the right angle. Otherwise the pressure will break the roots off.
This time two cuts are made, the bottom cut more like 45 degrees. The
scion needs a long cut on one side and a short 45 degree one on the
other to roughly match the slot.
Make sure the angle stays constant with only a firm pressure
Use a rocking forward-back motion, not a hard shove
Try not to "scoop" - no curved cuts!
Try to cut the scion with a "flat" cut without scooping
Practice on scrap cuttings for you will need lots of practice
Un-rooted cuttings from pencil to finger thickness will do
Remember, tough tape can pull "soft" wood in to close gaps!!! 1
Here is a picture sequence which may help give the idea.
Bottom cut |
Long cut as before |
Scion long cut side |
Short cut under flap |
Locked in |
3-node sample scion |
1-node will do |
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Sequence wedge graft
Preparing the
Stock: Rootstock is grown in pots the season before
grafting, allowed to go dormant, and then stored as with other
container nursery stock. After exposure to cold weather for at least
six weeks, the rootstock is brought into a cool greenhouse for a few
days before grafting takes place to encourage renewed root growth. The
plant should not be watered at this time.
Make a shallow downward cut about 3/4 inch to 1 inch long at the base
of the stem on the potted rootstock to expose a flap of bark with some
wood still attached. Make an inward cut at the base so that the flap of
bark and wood can be removed from the rootstock. Preparing the Scion:
Choose a scion with a diameter the same as or
slightly smaller than the
rootstock. Make a sloping cut 3/4 to 1 inch long at the base of the
scion. Inserting the
Scion: Insert the cut surface of the scion against
the cut surface of the rootstock. Be certain that the cambia contact
each other. Securing the
Graft: Hold the scion in place using a rubber
grafting strip, tape, or grafting twine. Seal the entire graft area
with warm grafting wax or grafting paint. Remove the rubber or twine
shortly after the union has healed. Never allow the binding material to
girdle the stem. 2
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Grafting
Techiques Page
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