The Latest Technical Method Tutorial for Grafting Osmanthus onto Chinese Fringetree
The Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) is a deciduous shrub or small tree, with a flowering period from April to June and a fruit ripening period from September to October. It is not demanding regarding soil and can adapt to neutral, slightly acidic, and slightly alkaline soils. Grafting osmanthus onto Chinese fringetree has strong compatibility and grows well. Osmanthus bonsai cultivated from Chinese fringetree stumps can be placed at home. The best time for grafting is usually when the Chinese fringetree begins to sprout.
Cut Grafting Method
When grafting, cut the rootstock off at an appropriate spot, choose the smoother side of the bark, and make a vertical downward cut slightly into the wood, with the cut 2 cm to 3 cm deep. Cut the scion into a 2 cm to 3 cm long slanted surface, and then cut a 1 cm short slanted surface on the opposite side, while retaining 2 to 3 pairs of buds and cutting the branch crosswise. Immediately insert the scion into the rootstock so that the cambium layers of both are closely aligned.
For a large rootstock, several scions can be grafted. After the scions are inserted, immediately bind and fix them with plastic film strips, and put on small plastic bags to retain moisture and warmth.
Side Grafting Method
Side grafting is a branch grafting method that does not cut off the rootstock crown. When grafting, at an appropriate spot on the rootstock, cut obliquely into the rootstock at a 20-degree to 30-degree angle, reaching 1/3 to 1/2 of the rootstock diameter. Then cut the lower end of the scion on both sides into 1 cm to 2 cm slanted surfaces, retain 2 to 3 pairs of buds, insert the scion into the cut in the rootstock, align it with the cambium on one side of the rootstock, and bind it with plastic film strips to retain moisture and warmth.
Cleft Grafting Method
When grafting, cut the rootstock flat at a certain height, then use a cleft grafting knife to split vertically down the center of the rootstock cut surface to a depth of 4 cm to 5 cm, and then insert the back of the knife into the cut to open it. Select 2-year-old branches with 4 to 5 pairs of buds as the scion, cut both sides into equal wedge shapes, then insert the scion into the rootstock cut so that the cambium layers of both are closely aligned, and bind firmly with plastic film strips, then put on a plastic bag and tie it tightly to retain moisture and warmth.
Bark Grafting Method
When the sap of the Chinese fringetree has already begun to flow and the bark is easy to peel. First, cut a 2 cm to 3 cm long slanted surface on the back of the scion 1 cm to 2 cm below the bud, then cut a small slanted surface about 0.6 cm long at the tip on the back of the slanted surface. Then cut and smooth the rootstock at the required spot, choose a smooth place on the rootstock bark, and make a vertical cut from top to bottom, reaching the xylem, about 1.5 cm long. Gently pry the bark open on both sides along the cut and insert the scion.
If the rootstock is thick, several scions can be grafted. After the scions are inserted, bind and fix them with plastic film strips, then put on plastic bags to retain warmth and moisture.
Approach Grafting Method
From May to July each year, cut 5 cm to 10 cm off both the Chinese fringetree and the osmanthus at an appropriate height, making two approach grafting slanted cuts reaching 1/4 to 1/3 of the trunk diameter, align the cambium layers, and bind them well with plastic film strips. One month after approach grafting (as quickly as 20 days), cut off the lower part of the scion and the upper part of the rootstock.