How to graft a bonsai ficus? Detailed explanation of grafting techniques
The common ficus has a unique "three beauties", namely the beauty of aerial roots, the beauty of root vines and the beauty of tuberous roots. But its shortcoming is that the leaves are large, and the distance between leaves is 2.4 cm, so the crown is loose. Choosing small-leaf ficus as the scion for grafting can change the above defects and form a small ficus stump bonsai.
Rootstock cultivation and scion selection:
Ginseng ficus is propagated by sowing; at 3 years old it can grow relatively thick tuberous roots at the base, and aerial lateral roots can grow from the tuberous roots. Common ficus is propagated by layering or cuttings, and cultivating old stumps generally takes more than 5 years. Naturally grown old root stumps can also be dug up. One year before grafting, the root stump should be cut back and pruned so that vigorous branches grow from the root stump; small branches should be thinned out, and grafting should be carried out after 1 year of cultivation. The scions used are Indian ficus, Thai ficus and the newly introduced American ficus.
Grafting methods and management:
Graft in early spring when the buds sprout and grow. In order to place the graft union at the base of the branch, the multi-head side grafting method can be used. The scion carries 1 to 2 leaves and a lateral bud; after inserting it into the rootstock, bind it with plastic strips. Each branch is grafted with 1 head; generally, a 3-year-old ginseng ficus can be grafted with 3 to 5 heads. After grafting, the rootstock must be cut, leaving a 20 cm long rootstock branch above the graft union, and the leaves should be retained; tender shoots should be cut off. After grafting, cover the whole pot with a plastic bag to maintain humidity, and keep the temperature at around 25 degrees C.
Seven days after grafting, cut a small opening in the plastic bag for proper ventilation. After 15 days, the plastic bag can be removed. When the scion has clearly grown, cut off the rootstock above the graft union, and at the same time remove the binding, then tie on new plastic strips. The plastic strips should be tied a little loosely, because the plastic strips can retain moisture, promote callus tissue growth, make the wound heal flat, and leave no dead tissue, which can improve the ornamental value of the bonsai.
Ficus grafting has wide uses in the rapid replacement of ficus varieties, the rapid production of ficus bonsai, and the rapid rejuvenation of aging large trees. The suitable grafting period for ficus is around the Start of Spring solar term in January each year, or from mid-June to the end of July (from Grain in Ear to Major Heat solar terms).
During grafting, the rootstock is cut off at an appropriate part, and the lower branches and buds are removed but some old leaves should be retained. Then vigorous, plump, 1-year-old leafy branches taken from the outer periphery of young and strong trees in the surrounding area are used as scions. For early spring grafting, select branches whose terminal buds have already swollen and are about to sprout. For grafting during the high-temperature period in summer, remove the overly tender top part, then tie and seal the top tightly with plastic film, then remove 2/3 of the leaves and graft by cleft grafting, bark grafting, side grafting or other methods.
After joining, wrap tightly with plastic film strips, then wrap an appropriate amount of clay ball around the grafting site as a moisture-retaining material, and finally cover the scion and grafting site with a plastic bag, tying the opening of the plastic bag below the grafting site against the trunk to seal it and retain moisture.