How to Graft a Plum Tree? The Latest Technical Method Tutorial

Plum tree propagation methods include grafting, cuttings and division, among others. In actual production, grafting is usually used, as this helps improve the planting efficiency of plum trees. In grafting operations, the grafting time, rootstock selection and grafted varieties differ according to the actual situation, and attention must be paid to this in production. Now let us take a look at plum tree grafting techniques!

The Growing Environment of Plum Trees

Plum trees have strong adaptability to climate. As long as the soil layer is relatively deep and has a certain fertility, they can be planted in any type of soil. They have relatively high requirements for air and soil humidity and are extremely intolerant of waterlogging. Poor drainage in an orchard often causes root rot, poor growth or susceptibility to various diseases. It is advisable to choose a site with loose soil, good soil aeration and drainage, deep soil layer and a low groundwater level for establishing an orchard.

The Grafting Time for Plum Trees

Plum tree grafting is best done around July. 7-10 days before grafting, select strong-growing peripheral branches and pinch off the tips to promote earlier maturity of the scions. In addition to choosing plump buds when grafting, the grafting site should be 5-8 cm above the ground, which is conducive to early sprouting of the grafted buds.

Variety Selection for Plum Trees

1. Rootstock selection: Choose dwarfing rootstocks that have strong compatibility with the grafted variety. It is advisable to choose varieties with bright fruit color, high yield and slightly weaker growth vigor.

2. Grafted varieties: There are very rich plum varieties. Traditional excellent Chinese varieties include “Furen Li, Jiaqing Li, Xieli, Hongxiang Li, Yuhuang Li, Mi Li, Wuyue Li”, etc. At present, the domestic and introduced foreign plum varieties promoted and applied in production mainly include Dashi Zaosheng, Japanese Liwang, Misi Li, Rose Queen, Black Gem, American Dali, Changle Niuxin Li, Xianfeng Li, etc.

Grafting Techniques for Plum Trees

1. Rootstock treatment: After transplanting wild peach, plum, cherry and other tree stumps and keeping them alive, cut or saw them off 6-10 cm above the ground (also according to tree shape) to serve as rootstock.

2. Scion treatment: Select fully developed 1-year-old, robust, plump-budded, pest-free semi-lignified branches as scion wood. Take a section about 7 cm long and keep 5-7 buds as the scion. Wrap the collected scions in a wet cloth and use them as soon as they are collected.

3. Method selection: Generally carry out before the rootstock buds sprout or when they begin to sprout but have not yet unfolded leaves. The cleft grafting method is commonly used, mainly suitable for thicker rootstocks. This method is easy to master, the union heals quickly and firmly, and the survival rate is high.

4. Grafting method: Water the rootstock once the day before grafting. During grafting, trim the cut surface of the rootstock flat with a knife, then use a grafting knife or blade to make a straight cleft about 3 cm long. Cut the lower end of the prepared scion into a wedge-shaped cut surface about 3 cm long, with one side slightly thicker and the other side thinner, keeping only 2-3 buds. Then insert the scion into the cleft with the slightly thicker side facing outward and the thin side facing inward, align the cambium, and bind tightly and wrap completely with a wide plastic strip. Bind the cut end at the upper part of the scion tightly with plastic film to prevent water evaporation and pest damage. In dry and windy weather, a transparent plastic bag must be used, with a small cotton ball fully soaked in water placed inside, then cover the part above the joint and tie the bag opening tightly.

5. Post-grafting management: Generally, cutting the rootstock sprouts earlier than bending the rootstock. However, in summer, when cutting the rootstock, be sure to cut 3-5 cm away from the grafted bud, leave a few leaves on the rootstock, and after the grafted bud sprouts, cut the rootstock 1 cm above the grafted bud. After cutting the rootstock, remove sprouts in time, completely remove all sprouts growing from the rootstock, and keep only the grafted bud. In the later stage, water the seedlings at the proper time. At the end of September, when the grafted buds grow to 70-100 cm, pinch all the tips and stop watering to promote thickening growth of the seedlings and make them mature, so as to improve the overwintering ability of the seedlings.