What factors affect the survival rate of apple grafting
Apple is one of the major fruits; it is rich in nutrients and very low in calories, making it very suitable for weight loss, and its nutrients are also easily absorbed and utilized by the human body. Many apple saplings are cultivated by grafting, but during the grafting process many errors can also occur, leading to grafting failure. So today I will introduce to you the reasons that affect the survival rate of apple tree grafting. Let's take a look.
1. Rootstock-scion combination
The survival rate of apple tree grafting is greatly related to the rootstock-scion combination. The stronger the healing ability that can be produced between the rootstock and scion, the higher the grafting survival rate. So the compatibility between rootstock and scion has an extremely great effect on the survival of apple tree grafting, and at present the rootstock relatively suitable for apple tree grafting is mostly M26. This rootstock-scion combination has the best healing ability at present, much better than the healing ability of varieties such as Huashuo and Honeycrisp.
2. Selection of scion
The quality of the scion also has a very great effect on the survival of apple tree grafting. We should select scions that are suitable for local growth, of high-quality variety, and with a high fruiting rate. Secondly, the scion should be selected from branches in a sunny area that are robust, free of pests and diseases, well developed, with plump buds, and undamaged. The collected scions should maintain freshness and a certain humidity, and are best stored in an environment with a temperature of about 0 to 5 degrees and a humidity maintained at about 90 percent. The temperature and humidity should not be too low or too high, otherwise they will affect the healing tissue of the scion and thus affect the survival rate of apple tree grafting.
3. Grafting management
Grafting management is the key to affecting the survival of apple trees; the quality of the grafting technique directly affects the grafting survival rate. First, we need to process the scion, generally cutting the scion to about 6 to 10 cm, and it must have two buds or more; next, cut the truncated scion with a knife into a smooth bevel. For the rootstock, we also cut it to 6 to 10 cm and process it flat, and finally reasonably select the scion according to the size of the rootstock. When grafting, we need to align the joint of the rootstock and scion, then wrap it well with plastic film. When tying the plastic film, pay attention to tying it tightly, densely, and firmly, as this can improve the survival rate.
4. Post-grafting management
Management after apple tree grafting also has a relatively great effect on the grafting survival rate. If the post-grafting management work is not done properly, it is very likely to cause apple trees that had originally survived to die again. Generally, about ten days after grafting, the grafted seedlings should be inspected in a timely manner; if it is found that the grafting has not survived, then timely supplementary grafting is all that is needed. When the new shoots after grafting grow to about 18 cm, the tied plastic film must be uncovered, and when uncovering it, tie and support with a frame.
The main reasons affecting the survival rate of apple tree grafting are the selection and processing of the rootstock and scion, grafting treatment, grafting method, and later-stage seedling management. The above is all the content I want to share with you today. If you still have other questions you want to ask, remember to leave me a message.