Plum Blossom Planting Methods and Precautions Explained
Cleft grafting: cut off the upper part of the rootstock 3 cm above the ground; cut the scion to a length of 5-6 cm; on the outer side of the lower bud, make downward slanted cuts on both sides to form a duck-bill shape; open a 3 cm slit on one side of the rootstock, and insert the scion into the slit of the rootstock. Bud grafting: make a horizontal cut 1 cm above the scion bud, then make a flat cut forward and downward from below, peel away the wood inside the bark layer; make a horizontal cut on the rootstock 5 cm above the soil surface, cut downward from the slit, and insert the scion into the “T”-shaped bark layer.
Cleft grafting
Cleft grafting mostly uses one- or two-year-old rootstock; at the end of March (in a cold room) or the beginning of April (in the open field), cut off the upper part of the rootstock 3—5 cm above the ground. Use vigorous one-year-old branches as scions, cut to a length of 5—6 cm, leaving at least 3 buds. On the outer side of the lowest bud, make downward slanted cuts on both sides to form a duck-bill shape. Open a 3 cm long slit on one side of the rootstock. Insert the scion into the slit of the rootstock so that the two are closely joined, then bind with plastic film tape. Or use polyester tape to stick it tightly. Finally, cover the scion with a small plastic bag, tying the bag opening below the graft union, so you can often check through the film. After it survives, remove the binding material.
Bud grafting
Bud grafting is carried out in August-September, generally using the “T”-shaped grafting method. First make a horizontal cut 1-1.5 cm above the scion bud, then make a flat cut forward and downward from 1 cm below the bud, gently peel away the wood inside the bark layer of the cut bud (in recent years there is also bud grafting with a little wood attached) and hold it in the mouth. Make a horizontal cut on the rootstock 5 cm above the soil surface, then make a downward cut from the center of the slit, forming a “T” shape, then gently peel open the bark layer and insert the prepared scion into the bark layer of the “T”-shaped opening. The grafted bud must fit tightly, with its upper end closely joined to the upper end of the rootstock's “T”-shaped opening, and finally bind it well with plastic film strips or polyester adhesive tape. Check the survival after one week; if the petiole falls off at a touch and the bud point is green and plump, it indicates survival. In the following spring, cut off the top of the rootstock 5—6 cm above the graft union; the scion will sprout quickly; afterward, pay attention to cutting off rootstock shoots; when repotting or planting in a pot, plant appropriately deeper so that the graft union is as low as possible, and tie according to growth vigor to guide it into a graceful shape.
Preparation of potting soil
Mix 1/3 chaff ash with 2/3 river mud, add human excrement and urine, stir evenly, expose to sunlight, then sift and set aside. Place broken tiles and stones at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage, then fill with coarser soil, then plant the plum stump and firm the soil around the roots.
Watering time
Do not water when potting; water once after 3~4 days; water once a day after 7~10 days; after survival, water 1~2 times a day from May to August. The soil should not be too wet, and waterlogging must be strictly avoided.
Fertilizing
Plum blossoms do not like heavy fertilizer. When new shoots grow to about 5 cm, apply 1 time of dilute crushed-bone and sesame-paste fertilizer water to promote robust branch growth. When leaves unfold, fertilizer water should be sufficient; generally apply 1 time of dilute liquid fertilizer per month to promote lush branches and leaves. When branches grow to 20-25 cm, fertilizer and water should be moderated. At the end of summer and beginning of autumn, apply 2 times of supplemental fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation. After each fertilization, pay attention to timely watering and loosening the soil to keep the potting soil loose and facilitate root development.
Temperature and light
Plum blossoms like a sunny and well-ventilated environment and cannot tolerate long-term shade. Only by providing sufficient light, so that they obtain the conditions for photosynthesis, can they obtain sufficient nutrition, and thus grow robustly and produce bright flowers that are both numerous and large.