Detailed Explanation of Longan Grafting Techniques, Methods and Steps
Longan is a fruit with high nutritional value and good taste. The fruit can be eaten fresh or dried into dried products, and its market in our country is very large. Now the market demand for longan is also rising continuously, so the planting area is also expanding continuously. If you want to expand the planting area, then the propagation work is very important. Today, the editor brings you the grafting propagation techniques for longan. Let's take a look below!
1. Grafting time
The grafting time for longan should be determined according to temperature. Generally, around March each year, when the temperature stabilizes at around 20 degrees, it is the best time for longan grafting. The grafting time should not be too early or too late. If grafting is too early, the temperature is relatively low. The longan plant has less metabolism and less fluid flow, and has not yet fully awakened from the dormant period, so the grafting survival rate is low. If grafting is too late, the scion consumes a lot of nutrients, and the temperature is too high, which will likewise affect the grafting survival rate.
2. Scion selection
First, we should choose a robust tree with a high fruiting rate as the mother tree, and select scions from the mother tree. Use vigorous shoots from the upper part of the mother tree's canopy, with a high number of axillary buds and no wounds, as scions. After cutting off the shoots, remove all the leaves on them, and then do the sorting work. Control the quantity, keep the branches moist, and avoid losing the ability to sprout. Therefore, it is best to collect and graft the scions immediately, and the storage time should not exceed 7 days.
3. Rootstock selection
The selection of rootstock is also very important. Choose trees under 10 years old, and select 1st-2nd grade scaffold branches as rootstock. Keep the diameter of the branches at around 5-8 cm. Usually, the older the tree, the more vigorous it is, and the larger the canopy, the better the quality of its rootstock. Generally, adjust the number of rootstocks reasonably according to tree age: about 3 for 4-year-old trees, and about 4 for 7-8-year-old trees. When selecting rootstock, it is best to retain a certain amount of auxiliary nurturing branches, controlled at about 1/4 of the number of canopy branches, to maintain the water and fertilizer balance of the grafted tree.
4. Grafting height
For longan grafting, dwarfing grafting is best, as it is more beneficial for operation, management and so on. It can also improve field ventilation and light penetration and promote rapid growth of the longan tree. Generally, for fruit trees under 5 years old, graft at a position about 35 cm above the ground on the main trunk. For 7-8-year-old trees, graft at a position about 70 cm above the ground. Mainly adjust the grafting height reasonably according to the age of the rootstock and the thickness of the main trunk.
5. Grafting method
When grafting, both the rootstock and the scion should maintain a flat straight cut surface to ensure that the scion can be stabilized on the rootstock. Keep the grafted bud at a good angle to form a slanted surface, then cut the straight cut surface to about 3 cm until reaching the plane of the xylem cambium. Then cut it off at a position about 10 cm above the bud eye, insert the grafted bud tightly, and align it. After inserting, wrap it well with grafting film and seal it, but also ensure it is thin enough to ensure that the scion bud can normally break through the film.
The above is a brief introduction to longan grafting techniques. Longan propagation methods include grafting, seeds and several other methods. Mainly choose reasonably according to the local environment and your own planting habits. That's all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!