What Trees Can Persimmon Rootstock Be Grafted Onto? A Full Guide to Grafting Time and Methods

Persimmon rootstock generally refers to Diospyros lotus, also called black date, soft date, milk date, wild persimmon, etc. It is a fruit tree used both as medicine and food, and can be propagated by sowing or grafting.So what trees can persimmon rootstock be grafted onto? When to graft? How to graft?

1. What trees can persimmon rootstock be grafted onto?

Persimmon rootstock can be grafted onto persimmon trees. Persimmon rootstock, also known as black date tree, with the scientific name Diospyros lotus, has a well-developed root system and strong adaptability, making it a good rootstock for grafting persimmon trees.

2. When to graft persimmon rootstock?

Persimmon rootstock is generally grafted from April 15 to May 10. The commonly used methods are division, grafting and cuttings, but division is used most often. Generally, root sucker seedlings more than 2 m from the main trunk of the mother tree are used; although the seedlings are short, they have many roots, are easy to survive and grow quickly. Root sucker seedlings sprouting from large roots close to the main trunk are tall and thick, but have few roots, so the survival rate after planting is relatively low and growth is poor. After 2 years, dig open the soil, cut the mother root leaving 20 cm, and take out the seedlings, which can then be sold as finished seedlings or planted.

3. How to graft persimmon rootstock?

There are many methods for grafting persimmon rootstock, and you can choose according to the actual situation, for example:

(1) Bark grafting

1. Preparation

After the jujube tree buds and sap flows vigorously and the bark is easy to peel, choose a smooth part of the rootstock bark and cut off the rootstock. On one side of the cross section, cut a small opening about 0.5 cm from top to bottom through the bark to the xylem, and peel back the bark to form a triangular split. Then, at 2-3 cm from the lower cross section of the scion, cut downward diagonally with a knife so that the cut surface forms a horseshoe shape.

2. Operation

Insert the long cut surface of the prepared scion along the xylem into the bark through the triangular split already made in the rootstock (the long cut surface of the scion should closely contact the xylem of the rootstock), leaving 1 mm of cut surface above the cut. Then wrap the rootstock cut and the joint with the scion tightly with plastic film, with no air leakage, and the grafting is complete.

(2) Cleft grafting

1. Preparation

Clear away weeds and useless root sucker seedlings around the small seedlings, cut the rootstock cross section with scissors, and split the rootstock lengthwise along the center of the cross section to make a 2-3 cm cut, then quickly cut the scion downward from 2-3 cm above the lower end into a smooth double-sided wedge-shaped cut surface.

2. Operation

Insert the prepared scion into the split of the rootstock, leaving 1-2 mm of cut surface at the upper end of the scion cut surface, and align the cambium on the thicker side of the scion with the cambium of the rootstock.

3. Treatment

Finally, wrap the rootstock split and the joint with the scion evenly and tightly with plastic film to help retain moisture. If the scion has not been wax-sealed, wrap the entire scion tightly with thin plastic film to prevent water loss.

In fact, besides grafting, persimmon rootstock grown from seed can bear fruit in about 3 years.