A Detailed Guide to the Latest Timing and Methods for Fruit Tree Grafting

Most fruit trees can be grafted onto the same type of fruit tree. Grafting is done to combine the advantages of two kinds of fruit trees and obtain better genetic traits, so that the fruit is of higher quality, the quality is improved, and resistance, adaptability or disease resistance is increased. When exactly should fruit trees generally be grafted, and which methods give better results? That is what we mainly introduce here.

1. Grafting time

Fruit tree grafting must be carried out when the sap flow is slow, so it can be done in early spring or in autumn. In fact, summer is also possible, but high temperatures and frequent rain make the survival rate too low and are not good for summer growth. Pome fruit trees are mostly grafted in spring, while pomegranate can be grafted in summer or autumn. Stone fruit trees are more difficult to graft, so they must be grafted in spring. Succulent-type fruit trees, such as grapes and figs, must be grafted in early spring, before the sap starts flowing.

2. Grafting methods

1. Insert grafting

For insert grafting of fruit trees, cut the scion to a length of 10 cm. If there is no time to graft right after cutting and the grafting time has not yet come, it may need to be stored in moist sand. When grafting, disinfect the scion. At the grafting point, above the bud, cut downward and open it up, then remove the bud from the scion with a single cut from above. Insert it directly into the branch or trunk of the rootstock. Bind it with a plastic strip.

2. Cleft grafting

Shorten the rootstock seedling by cutting it about 30 cm above the ground, then take the scion, a branch with plump buds, and make a slanted cut at the lower end to form a cut surface. Then split the rootstock from the place close to the cortex, insert the scion, align the cambium, and then tie it firmly. After it survives, the buds on the scion are still plump.

3. Insertion method

Also called cross bud grafting. Make one horizontal cut and one vertical cut on the trunk, then cut off the scion directly with one cut, slowly place it into the bark, and finally leave only the bud exposed. All other places must be tied tightly and airtight. Afterwards, promptly remove the original buds on the branch and check for survival. Once it survives, the buds will grow very well; if it does not survive, the buds will wither.

4. Precautions

Some special fruit trees have special grafting requirements and times, and not all can follow this. In addition, different fruit trees can choose the most suitable grafting method. Different seasons use different grafting methods. After grafting, shade and moisture management and care are needed to increase the survival rate.

For fruit tree grafting, generally common fruit trees can all be grafted, and the best grafting time is in spring. There are quite a few grafting methods, and sometimes as long as it survives, the method does not matter. But after accumulating experience, you will know which grafting method is best.