Key Management Points and Precautions After Grafting Bitter Melon
In recent years, bitter melon grafting has become increasingly mature in application, and the survival rate is also very high. This can effectively break the continuous cropping obstacle, reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, and also increase yield. However, post-grafting management is also very important. Whether the graft survives after grafting depends not only on whether the grafting technique is proficient, but the key lies in post-grafting management. Below, follow the editor to take a look at post-grafting management and precautions for bitter melon.
1. Seedbed treatment
Before grafting, the seedbed must first be disinfected, so that during grafting the occurrence of pests and diseases can be reduced to the greatest possible extent. During grafting, the grafted plants need to be placed on the seedbed immediately, while watering thoroughly and providing shade. After the seedbed is fully filled, insert arches on the seedbed, cover with plastic film, and seal the plastic film tightly, with no ventilation or air leakage.
⟦NL>2. Temperature and humidity regulation
For the wound to heal after grafting, environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and work need to be maintained. Within a few days after grafting and temporary planting, because the vascular tissue cannot normally transport nutrients and water, the nutrients absorbed by the root system also cannot be transported to the stems and leaves. If exposed to strong sunlight, the leaves are very likely to lose water and wilt due to transpiration. At this time, shading is needed, and then light should be introduced gradually, so that the scion slowly adapts to the living environment after grafting. Generally, 10 days after grafting, the daytime temperature can be raised to 30 degrees for high-temperature hardening of the seedlings, and then the falsely surviving seedlings should be eliminated in time.
3. Remove sprouts and cut the scion roots
One week after grafting, if the terminal buds of the rootstock are not completely removed, they can sprout out. These adventitious buds compete with the scion for nutrients, which will not only affect the survival and development of the scion, but if the sprouts are not removed in time and the sprouts grow too long, the assimilated substances produced will also be transported to the plant, resulting in poorer quality. Therefore, the sprouts of the rootstock must be removed in time. If the approach grafting method is used, after grafting it is also necessary to consider cutting the roots of the scion. The method is: 7-10 days after grafting, pinch with your hand the hypocotyl 1 cm below the graft union of the scion to see whether the scion wilts. When the scion wilts, cut off the hypocotyl of the scion 1 cm below the graft union.
4. Precautions
Before grafting, in addition to disinfecting the seedbed, it is also necessary to spray fungicide on the rootstock and scion to prevent the wound from being infected by pathogens, causing rot and death. In addition, during grafting, neither the rootstock nor the scion plants may be contaminated with water droplets or dirt, as this may also lead to grafting failure. When handling the interface, the cut surfaces of the rootstock and scion must be aligned, with no misalignment, and kept free of soil and foreign matter. If present, gently wipe them off with toilet paper or a cotton ball. Grafting should be carried out in a suitable environment, and should be done as follows: graft, plant, water, and cover with the greenhouse film immediately. When transplanting grafted seedlings, note that the planting depth should be such that the graft union is 3-4 cm above the ground, so as to avoid the graft union contacting the soil and producing adventitious roots, thereby losing the meaning of grafting.
The above is an introduction to post-grafting management and precautions for bitter melon. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.