Jujube seedling planting time and methods to increase grafting survival rate

Jujube is a food we commonly eat, whether as a fresh fruit or as dried red jujube, both have their unique flavor. Jujube is rich in vitamins and is cultivated in various parts of China, especially in plains and hilly areas, which are relatively suitable for its growth. So when should jujube seedlings be planted? How can grafting achieve a high survival rate?

1. When should jujube seedlings be planted?

Jujube seedlings can be planted in spring or autumn. They can be planted in any area where the average temperature in January is not lower than minus 8°C. For planting, a relatively flat sandy loam plot with good drainage and irrigation and fertile soil should be selected as the nursery, and continuous cropping should not be used.

2. How can jujube achieve a high grafting survival rate?

1. Selecting scions

Around mid-March, before the jujube tree is about to sprout, select one-year-old vigorous branches from the tree of the variety to be grafted, cut off the secondary branches, take the middle and upper parts, and cut them into sections with every two buds as one section. On each section, leave about 1 cm of branch above the upper bud, so that the lower end has sufficient internode length for cutting.

2. Scion treatment

Put the cut scions into a washed beverage bottle or other container, pour in 1% to 2% sucrose water, and soak them in a cool place for 5 to 7 days. Then rinse the scions repeatedly with clean water, wrap them tightly in plastic bags, and store them in the refrigerator compartment. Before grafting, soak them again in sugar water for 1 to 2 days, rinse them clean, and keep them moist for later use.

3. Grafting

Around early April, the tree body is active, and grafting can be carried out at this time. First wrap the scion with a 3 cm wide plastic film strip, leaving only the bud eyes and the lower 2 to 3 cm branch section exposed. If the scion is wrapped after being inserted, not only is the efficiency low, but when wrapping the upper part of the scion it is easy to make the scion shift within the graft union, reducing the survival rate. Then cut the lower end of the scion into a wedge shape. The xylem of jujube branches is relatively hard, so the knife used must be very sharp to ensure a smooth cut surface. After cutting, wrap them in a washed wet towel to prevent air-drying. When grafting for seedling propagation, cut off the rootstock 5 cm above the ground. For top grafting to change varieties on jujube trees, select branches with 1 to 3 years of branch age, upward branch vigor, and active growth, graft at their lower part, and leave no other growing branches on the rootstock. Carry out the grafting operation conventionally, taking care to align the cambium. After wrapping the graft union tightly, twist the plastic film strip into a rope shape and tie it firmly several times around the cut on the rootstock to minimize gaps between the cambium of the rootstock and the scion.

4. Post-grafting management

After grafting, the main thing to pay attention to is promptly removing sprouts on the rootstock. When the new shoots grow to about 20 cm, remove the wrapping. If the graft union has not yet healed completely, it can be wrapped again and removed after one month. After the scion survives, it grows vigorously, and the branches and leaves are heavy, so in windy and rainy weather it is easy to break at the graft union. A sturdy small wooden stick should be tied promptly at the graft union for reinforcement, and removed after autumn. Other aspects can be managed conventionally.