How to Graft a Jujube Tree? A Detailed Guide to Practical Grafting Techniques

Jujube tree grafting can still be carried out from July to September, and at this time, because the jujube branches grow vigorously and the graft buds develop plumply, the grafting survival rate is relatively high.

I. Bark grafting method Collecting scions Select new-growing jujube shoots of excellent varieties suitable for local cultivation that are 1 to 2 years old, remove all the jujube hanging shoots and leaves, cut out the primary branches and secondary branches of the jujube shoot, and place them upright separately in a plastic bucket filled with clean water for later use. Scion preparation Take 1 vigorous primary branch or secondary branch from the plastic bucket, cut it into 5 to 8 cm segments, with the upper cut 0.5 cm from the bud eye, and the lower cut not less than 5 cm from the bud eye; on the side facing away from the bud, shave off 1/2 of the thickness, 2 to 3 cm long, and on the opposite side use the same method to shave off 0.5 cm from the lower end of the scion, making the scion a wedge shape with different lengths on the two sides. Grafting Select jujube seedlings more than one year old or wild sour jujube seedlings, scattered seedlings, root-sucker seedlings, old nursery seedlings, etc. as rootstock. Cut off the rootstock at 3 to 10 cm from the ground at the base, insert the scion between the bark and cambium of the rootstock, with 0.1 cm of the top exposed, and apply a little soft mud to the joint between the scion and rootstock (be careful not to cover the bud eyes). Bind the rootstock and scion tightly with plastic tying strips, then use plastic film with length and width of 8 cm and 10 cm respectively and a thickness of 0.006 mm to cover the rootstock and scion together, with the top in a single layer close to the bud eye, and the lower part in multiple layers covering the part where the scion is inserted into the rootstock, and finally tie the scion-rootstock union tightly with plastic tying strips. Post-grafting management 8 to 10 days after grafting, the scions sprout one after another, and most can break through the film and emerge. For those particularly weak plants that have difficulty breaking through the film, use a sharp needle to score the film at the sprouting point so that the scion can grow normally after sprouting. After that, normal sprout removal should be carried out 2 to 3 times, and when the jujube seedling grows to 30 cm high, set up a straight pole for protection to prevent the wind from breaking the jujube seedling.

II. Bud grafting with wood method Collecting scions Select current-year branches of excellent varieties that are robust in growth, free of pests and diseases, with plump bud eyes, already forming lignified tissue, and 0.4 to 0.8 cm in diameter, cut them all into 20 to 30 cm small sections, wrap them with wet sand or wet burlap, and sprinkle water in time to keep them moist for later use. Grafting Select robust sour jujube seedlings free of pests and diseases with a base diameter of more than 0.5 cm as rootstock. First make a horizontal cut on the selected bud-attaching part of the rootstock, reaching deep into the xylem, then cut downward from top to bottom a 1.5 to 2 cm “T”-shaped opening, or make a horizontal cut 0.5 cm above the plump bud of the scion, reaching 1 to 1.5 cm deep into the xylem, and at 1 to 1.5 cm below the bud use a knife to quickly cut downward from bottom to top to remove the graft bud, with a length slightly shorter than the opening on the rootstock, then attach the graft bud into the “T”-shaped opening on the rootstock, align the cambium of the bud piece with the cambium of the rootstock (aligned at the top and one side), and bind tightly with plastic strips 0.5 cm wide. Post-grafting management 15 to 20 days after grafting, check whether the grafted seedlings have survived (the method is that if the leaf stalk falls off as soon as it is touched when the graft bud is felt by hand, it has survived; if it does not fall off when felt by hand, it has not survived). For those that have not survived, supplementary grafting can be done in time. In the spring of the following year, cut the rootstock 2 to 2.5 cm above the survived scion and remove the plastic strips, so as to promote the survival and sprouting of the scion. During the growing season, spraying and management should be carried out frequently to prevent and control pest and disease damage.