Which fruit trees can peach trees be grafted with? A detailed explanation of grafting methods

Summary: Which fruit trees can peach trees be grafted with, and how is grafting done?

The peach tree is a plant in the genus Prunus of the Rosaceae family. The most commonly used propagation methods include four types: seed propagation, grafting, cuttings, and layering, with grafting being the most commonly used. Generally, the most commonly used rootstock for peach tree grafting is the mountain peach, and other fruit trees in the same family can also be chosen. The most common is grafting different varieties of peach trees such as maotao, nectarine, and flat peach. So which other fruit trees can peach trees also be grafted with, especially fruit trees in the same family?

Conditions for grafting peach trees onto other fruit trees.

For peach tree grafting, choosing fruit trees in the same family generally gives a higher success rate, because fruit trees in the same family are relatively closely related, the compatibility between the rootstock and the scion is stronger, and rejection will not occur. After grafting is completed, the cambium's growth and nutrient supply capacity are strong, and the wound heals quickly. When grafting, the peach tree can be used as either the rootstock or the scion. However, when the peach tree is used as the rootstock, it is best to choose the mountain peach tree, because the mountain peach tree has strong environmental adaptability, is distributed throughout the country, and has vigorous root growth and strong resistance, but it is not tolerant of waterlogging.

What other fruit trees can peach trees be grafted with?

The conditions for grafting peach trees onto other fruit trees have already been introduced above. It is best for peach trees to choose plants of the same genus for grafting, so the main other fruit trees they can be grafted with are plums, apricots, mei, and Nanking cherry, among others. These fruit trees and peach trees can be used as rootstocks for grafting each other. Whichever tree is used as the scion, the branch that successfully grows after grafting will bear that tree's fruit. For example, if a plum is used as the scion and grafted onto a peach tree, then the branch after grafting will bear plums and not peaches. Perhaps the plums produced will even have a slight peach flavor.

Key technical points for grafting peach trees onto other fruit trees.

The main propagation method for peach trees is grafting, so the grafting time, the choice of rootstock, and post-grafting management are the key points to note in grafting technique. Regarding the choice of grafting time, peach trees are generally grafted in spring (March to April) or autumn (August to September), and spring grafting is generally chosen more often. Spring grafting is suitable for whip grafting, and generally 2-year-old seedlings are chosen. In spring, the sap in the rootstock and scion has already begun to flow, the buds have also begun to sprout, and the climatic conditions are relatively suitable. The scion and rootstock have strong vitality, and after grafting the wound can heal well and grow cambium. Relatively speaking, the success rate will be somewhat higher.

Autumn grafting is suitable for bud grafting. Choose scions with plump buds, and choose one-year-old robust seedlings as rootstock. After grafting is completed, wrap the joint with plastic film to isolate external pathogens and so on. For grafting, generally choose cloudy and windless days, and avoid grafting on rainy days, so that rainwater does not pour into the interface and damage the rootstock and scion, affecting the grafting success rate.

Using mountain peach trees as rootstock to graft other varieties of peach trees has a relatively high success rate, while the success rate of grafting other fruit trees is relatively lower. However, there are also reports of grafting multiple fruit trees onto one tree, though the fruiting rate cannot really be guaranteed.

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