Detailed Explanation of Flower Grafting Propagation Methods and Technical Points
Grafting is a method of propagating new plants by joining a part of one plant onto another plant. The branch used for grafting is called the scion, the bud used is called the graft bud, the plant being grafted onto is the rootstock, and the surviving seedling is called a grafted seedling. When the scion sprouts new branches and leaves, it indicates that the graft has taken; cutting off the rootstock's sprouting branches then forms a new individual. Dormant-period grafting is generally done in early to mid-March, while autumn grafting is done from early October to early December.
Growing-season grafting is mainly bud grafting, with July to August being the most suitable period, such as for peach blossoms and Chinese roses. The rootstock should be chosen from the same species or same genus as the scion, with close kinship, strong adaptability, and robust growth; the scion should be selected from plump middle branches. The grafting cut must be flat and smooth, and the binding material for grafting is mostly plastic film cut into strips.
Cut grafting: Cut off the upper part of the selected rootstock horizontally, make a longitudinal cut of about 2 cm on one side, slightly into the xylem, exposing the cambium; cut one end of the scion branch diagonally into a 2 cm length, insert it into the rootstock, align the cambium, and bind tightly.
Approach grafting: Place the two plants of scion and rootstock together, cut away 3-5 cm from the approaching parts of two branches of similar thickness, down to the xylem, then bring them together, align the cambium, and bind the cut surfaces tightly against each other.
Bud grafting: Mostly T-shaped bud grafting, that is, take a plump lateral bud from the middle of the branch, remove the leaf blade, keep the petiole, cut it together with the branch into a bud patch about 2 cm long, then make a T-shaped cut in the rootstock bark, use a budding knife to lift the bark, insert the bud patch, bind tightly with plastic film tape, and leave the bud and petiole exposed.
The advantages of grafting propagation are that it can maintain the morphology and characteristics of the parent variety, enhance the ability to adapt to the environment, promote or inhibit growth, and advance flowering and fruiting. The disadvantages are that the propagation quantity is small, it requires a rootstock with which it can live compatibly, the technical requirements are high, and the surviving seedlings (called grafted seedlings) have a relatively short lifespan.
How to Carry Out Grafting Propagation of Flowers
Grafting propagation is a method of joining a plant branch or bud (scion) onto another plant (rootstock) so that they combine into a new plant. Grafting includes two types: branch grafting and bud grafting. Branch grafting methods include approach grafting, cut grafting, cleft grafting, bark grafting, etc. Using a bud as the scion is called bud grafting.The key to successful grafting is the compatibility between the scion and the rootstock, that is, the ability of the two cambiums to combine with each other, produce callus tissue, and form a new individual. Generally, compatibility is strongest between the same species, somewhat weaker between plants of the same genus, and grafting between different genera of the same family is relatively difficult.
The suitable time for grafting is in spring when the rootstock sap begins to flow but the buds on the scion have not yet sprouted; summer grafting generally mostly uses the bud grafting method.
(1) Approach grafting. When grafting by the approach method, first transplant the rootstock and scion together, or plant one of them in a pot first, select two branches of similar thickness, cut a of equal length on each, with the cut surface slightly longer, reaching the middle of the branch, so that the cambiums of the two branches fit closely together, then bind with plastic film. After survival, cut the scion off from the mother plant, and cut off the part of the rootstock above the graft union.
(2) Cut grafting. Select one-year-old, robustly growing branches, cut them into 6-9 cm scions, with two or three buds on the upper part, and cut the lower end of the scion into a flat wedge shape. Cut off the rootstock stem at about 5 cm above the ground, make a downward cut at its top about 2 cm from the xylem, so that the length of the cut equals the length of the long cut surface of the scion, then insert the scion into the cut of the rootstock, align the cambiums of the two closely, bind the joint tightly with plastic film strips, and bury the joint and scion firmly with moist soil.
What is grafting propagation? Which flowers are propagated by grafting?
Flower Bonsai Network Flower Cultivation Basics Column: What is grafting propagation? Which flowers are propagated by grafting?
Grafting propagation is the joining of part of a branch, bud, or stem of a superior variety plant onto an ordinary variety or wild species, cultivating it into a plant of the superior variety. The branch, bud, or stem and leaf taken from the superior variety is called the scion, and the ordinary variety or wild species being grafted onto is called the rootstock. Commonly grafted flowers include peony grafted onto Chinese peony, Western azalea grafted onto spring azalea, osmanthus grafted onto privet, ornamental peach grafted onto wild peach, fragrant wintersweet grafted onto dog-claw wintersweet, Christmas cactus grafted onto cactus, and chrysanthemum grafted onto mugwort. Grafting methods can be roughly divided into three forms: branch grafting, bud grafting, and flat grafting.
(1) Branch grafting: Generally the cleft grafting method is used. The key points are: 1. Choose the grafting time when the cambium at the root of the rootstock begins to activate and the sap begins to flow (temperatures vary by region, such as around the Rain Water solar term in Chengdu). 2. Cut the scion to about 8 cm long, keep 2-3 buds, and cut the lower end of the scion into a wedge shape.
3. Cut off the rootstock about 6 cm above the ground, then make a vertical cut downward about 3 cm at the cut end of the rootstock. 4. Insert the scion into the cut of the rootstock and bind it well with string or tape.
(2) Bud grafting: Generally the T-shaped bud grafting method is used. The key points are: 1. Bud grafting is generally carried out in July to September when sap flow is active. 2. Select robust branches for the scion, cut off the leaf blade, keep the upper petiole, then hold the branch upside down, cut from 1 cm below the bud to 2 cm, then make a cross cut to form a shield-shaped bud patch. 3. At about 6 cm above the ground on the rootstock, choose a smooth section of bark, cut the bark into a T shape, with a longitudinal cut of about 3 cm and a cross cut of about 1 cm. 4. Use the handle of the budding knife to lift the rootstock bark, then insert the bud patch while holding its petiole with the hand, and then bind with plastic film tape. 5. Generally after half a month, gently touch the petiole; if it falls off easily, it indicates that the graft has taken.
(3) Flat grafting: Mainly used for columnar or spherical flower types among cactus plants. The key points are: 1. The time is March to April or September to October. 2. Use a sharp knife to make a horizontal cut at an appropriate height on the rootstock. To prevent the cut surface from sinking, also use the knife to make a 20°-30° cut along the cut surface. 3. Also make a horizontal cut on the lower part of the scion, and immediately place it on the rootstock cut surface; when placing, pay attention that the vascular bundles of the two are partially joined. 4. Then place foam plastic on top of the scion, bind it longitudinally with fine string or a plastic bag, or press a heavy object on the scion. Then put on a plastic bag to prevent moisture evaporation from the graft union.