How to graft cucumber seedlings? A detailed introduction to the key technical points
Cucumber is one of the summer vegetables commonly eaten in daily life, with a refreshing taste and a crisp texture, and it is cultivated in many parts of our country. There are many varieties of cucumber, and eating cucumber regularly has a certain heat-clearing and detoxifying, diuretic effect. Nowadays cucumbers are available all year round, because the development of greenhouse technology has given a certain degree of control over temperature. In order to improve the yield and quality of cucumbers, grafting is often used. Below let us take a look at the introduction to the key technical points for grafting cucumber seedlings.
1. Do the preparatory work before grafting
Before grafting cucumbers, the rootstock for grafting must be prepared, and then the scion must be prepared; after soaking the seeds and promoting germination, sowing can be carried out. Of course, the rootstock also needs to go through this step before it can be sown. Do not sow them at the same time; plant the cucumbers first, then plant the rootstock. About ten days after the cucumbers emerge, grafting can be carried out.
In addition to this, the relevant grafting tools must also be prepared, such as bamboo skewers, knives, grafting clips, adhesive labels, and so on.
2. Master the correct grafting methods
The commonly used cucumber grafting methods include the approach grafting method, the splice grafting method, the insertion grafting method and the cleft grafting method. Which method to use specifically is determined by the specific planting situation.
For the insertion grafting method, generally a slanted cut is made on the cucumber seedling, then it is inserted at a 35-degree angle to a depth of about 5mm and fixed in place with the prepared bamboo skewer.
For the direct insertion method, the prepared scion is inserted directly to a depth of about 5mm, then forms a cross shape with the rootstock, and then water is sprayed.
The approach grafting method requires handling both the rootstock and the scion, which is rather troublesome; the depth of the cut must be well controlled, and then it is fixed in place with a grafting clip.
3. Management work after grafting
After the cucumber seedlings are grafted, attention must be paid to moisture retention. For the first three or four days, it is best to set up a dedicated shed to stabilize humidity; afterward such high humidity is no longer needed, and the greenhouse can be opened for ventilation.
As for temperature, it generally needs to be controlled between 25-30°C, and must not exceed 30°C or fall below 15°C, otherwise neither is favorable for the later growth of the grafted cucumber seedlings.
Light must not be too strong, and shading work must be done well, otherwise sunburn may occur, causing the entire plant to die.
4. Other key points
When grafting cucumbers, be sure to pay attention to several aspects:
First, the selection of the grafting rootstock must be a plant suited to the local environment for growth as the grafting rootstock;
Second, the nutrient soil needed for the grafting seedbed must be prepared in a certain proportion, and the seedbed must be watered beforehand;
Third, the grafted cucumber seedlings need moisture retention, and are best moved into nutrient pots, and then a greenhouse is set up;
Fourth, the grafting tools must be disinfected in advance to avoid infecting the plants.
In summary, have you mastered the key technical points for grafting cucumber seedlings? In order to improve the yield and quality of cucumbers, you might as well give it a try.