Key Management Techniques After Top Grafting and Replanting of Lychee
After top grafting of lychee, sun protection and ant prevention work must be done well, and new shoots on the original rootstock and water-drawing branches should be removed promptly and regularly so that nutrients are concentrated in the scion, facilitating the sprouting of new shoots and growth and development. After the graft has survived, cut off the water-drawing branches in stages and batches. After the first flush of shoots has completely turned green, cut off part of the water-drawing branches; after the second flush of shoots has fully matured, cut off part of the water-drawing branches; in the spring and summer of the second year after grafting, cut off all water-drawing branches.
After the graft has survived, because the degree of lignification at the graft union is low, it is easily split by strong winds. When storms come, the branches and leaves may be appropriately pruned, or bamboo poles may be used to support and firmly tie the rootstock-scion union to prevent the graft union from being torn. For buds that cannot penetrate the film, the buds must be promptly picked open; plastic film strips wrapped around the union to secure it or also serving a sealing function should be cut open from the side and removed after the new shoots have matured; if a plastic bag or plastic film tube was added for sealing during grafting, after the scion buds sprout, the top of the bag (tube) must be cut through so that the new shoots can grow smoothly.
Before the scion buds sprout, irrigate as little as possible. Only after the first new flush of shoots following scion sprouting has matured may fertilization begin. Thereafter, apply fertilizer 1-2 times during each flush period. Irrigate during drought and drain during waterlogging to prevent excessive dryness or waterlogging. After each flush of shoots, spray 1-2 times with 90% trichlorfon 800-fold solution or 40% dimethoate 1000-fold solution to control damage by lychee stink bugs and leaf-rolling caterpillars and inchworms.