What are the common grafting methods for peach trees?

Peach trees can be grafted in spring and summer, using either bud grafting or scion grafting. When the rootstock is relatively thick or when top-working on a main branch or trunk, scion grafting can be used.

Currently, the commonly used grafting methods are chip budding and cleft grafting.

1. Chip budding. This is a bud grafting method that includes a piece of wood. It is not limited by timing or by whether the bark slips, and it gives a high grafting survival rate and strong seedling growth. The grafting method is: make a slanted cut about 1 cm above the bud, cutting into the wood, about 1-3 cm long; then make a slanted cut at about a 30 degree angle about 1 cm below the bud, and remove the bud piece with wood; then, using the same method, on a smooth, flat part of the rootstock about 10 cm above the ground, cut a slit that is basically the same as or slightly longer than the scion bud piece, insert and fit the bud piece onto the rootstock cut, align all around, or if the bud piece is smaller, align at least one side, and use a plastic film strip to tie the wound tightly from the lower end of the graft union up to the union.

2. Cleft grafting. This is a method used relatively often in production. When grafting, first cut off the rootstock at a smooth place 10 cm above the base; the cut or saw cut must be smooth, then split vertically at the center of the cross section (for thicker ones, at the 1/3 or 1/4 position), about 3-4 cm deep. Select a branch segment with plump buds as the scion, cut one side of the lower part of the scion into a long slant about 3 cm, and cut the other side into a small slant of 1 cm; the cut surfaces must be smooth, retain 1 plump bud, insert the scion with the long slant facing inward into the cleft of the rootstock, align the cambium of the rootstock and the scion with each other, and the upper end of the scion cut surface should be 0.1-0.5 cm higher than the rootstock cut, then bind the cut tightly and firmly with a plastic film strip. Zhang Cui