How to properly graft plum trees in summer, spring and autumn, methods and technologies for beginners

Grafting of fruit trees is used by those who are not afraid to change the varietal characteristics of plums. After all, cuttings from different trees can be grafted onto one tree. Then, after the procedure, fruits are collected, different in shape and taste. And for the culture, this is an opportunity to recover and become more resistant to adverse weather conditions. But before you start any action, you need to know everything about how to graft a plum, which crop is best and in what way.

What time of year should the procedure be performed?

The timing of grafting must be determined taking into account the region in which the stone fruit crop is grown. Spring grafting is most common, as the tree will recover faster due to increased sap flow. But autumn and summer also cannot be written off.

The phases of the moon also determine when it is best to start grafting. The procedure is more successful during the growing month. Weather conditions are also taken into account. It is necessary that the day of vaccination is not too cold or hot.

in spring

The best chance of success for the procedure will be in the first months of spring. The end of March - beginning of April is considered optimal. At this time, the tree is full of strength, and the plum will recover quickly. In May, surgery can be performed, but only in cold weather. Otherwise, the plum may wither, or there will be no benefit from the grafting.

In summer

Summer surgery is carried out only if it was not possible to carry it out in the spring. Often spring grafting does not always go well; the cutting does not take root. Then it’s worth postponing the procedure to the summer. The ideal time would be June or July for temperate areas. Then the survival rate of the scion will increase before the onset of cold weather. In warm areas, you can start grafting plum trees in August.

in autumn

It is not recommended to graft plum trees in the fall. Even if the operation is performed in September-October, the tree will not have time to recover after the procedure. And the vaccination will be ineffective.

How to prepare cuttings

Cuttings from lignified one- or two-year-old shoots are used as scions. It is better to cut from the side branches and from the sunny side of the tree.This should be done in the fall, before the first drop in temperature occurs. Cuttings ready for hibernation will be better preserved and will remain viable until spring. You can save them:

• in grooves lined with spruce branches, covering the top with earth and straw;
• on the balcony, tied in bundles;
• in the basement or cellar;
• on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

The main requirement for storage is an air temperature of at least 0 degrees and a humidity of 70%.

You should prepare as many cuttings as possible, since many may emerge from storage with damage and rot.

Types of rootstocks

It is better to graft plum trees onto related trees. It is better if it is wild or semi-cultured. The resulting tree will have the taste qualities of the grafted cultivar, but will be characterized by winter hardiness and durability. In addition to stone fruits, pome fruits can be used as rootstocks, but the survival rate of the cuttings will be worse. So you can use types of rootstocks that are close to plums. These include bird cherry, cherry, apricot and peach varieties.

Plums on plums

One of the successful operations is when one plum variety is grafted onto another, resulting in a wonderful hybrid. The peculiarity of the resulting plum will be the best qualities of the parents. You can not limit yourself to one cutting, but use several. Then the variety of fruits on the plum will be interesting.

On the turn

The plum's closest relative is characterized by the fact that the shrub is unpretentious and resistant to low temperatures. If you want a plum variety that bears fruit in the southern regions, then you can graft a cutting from it onto a sloe. The operation will be successful in any case.

Go wild

Wild plum varieties are used for rootstock when it is necessary to improve qualities such as strong immunity to diseases and pests.Game animals are characterized by persistent tolerance to cold climates, temperature changes, and high humidity.

Beginning gardeners need to use this type of rootstock to learn how to graft.

For bird cherry

Although it is possible to use a bird cherry tree as a rootstock, there will be no positive result from grafting. The resulting fruit tree specimen will not produce good fruit. And the plant will get sick and develop poorly.

To the cherry

Of all the types of cherries, it is better to choose felt ones for grafting plums. But at the same time, carrying out the operation requires precision and accuracy. Only then will the plum cutting take root. The advantage of the operation will be the short stature of the hybrid and its early maturity.

For apricot

If the grafting is successful thanks to the correctly selected plum and apricot varieties and their compatibility, then the summer resident will receive a wonderful hybrid. Although the tree will be more suitable for warm climates, the aroma and taste of the fruit will be excellent.

To yellow

The unusual color of the fruit is obtained after grafting a variety with a blue plum and a yellow one. The operation is usually successful, and the cutting quickly takes root. But it is best to graft not on a seedling, but on an adult tree.

On the peach

For proper implementation, you need a variety that is ideal for merging with plum. It is best if it is semi-cultured. But still, the peach tree rarely serves as a rootstock. It’s better to graft a cutting from a peach onto a plum, then it will be more useful.

For cherry plum

The low-growing rootstock is suitable for the plum cutting, and the operation is successful. The survival rate is high, since both cultures are related.

Preparation of the rootstock

Choose a tree for the rootstock that will:

• without damage to the cortex;
• with a strong immune system;
• ages from 2 to 5 years.

Only a young healthy plum tree can give strength to a grafted cutting if the operation was carried out correctly. There is no doubt about the success of the procedure if the grafting technology is followed, especially for novice gardeners.

Methods and technology of vaccination

Many methods have been developed for how to graft a plum step by step. It all depends on the gardener’s experience and practical skills. For beginners, it is better to choose easy grafting methods, then moving on to more complex ones.

Ablactation

Ablation is also called a method of bringing together garden crops. The method can be used when you need to create a row of hedges from plums. Cuts are made on the shoots growing nearby, joining the scion and rootstock together. By correctly folding the layers of cadmium and securing the meeting point with electrical tape, a new hybrid is obtained.

Copulation

One of the common and simple methods of plum grafting is that:

1. The thickness of the rootstock and scion should be almost the same.
2. Cuttings with 3-4 buds, cut from annual shoots, are suitable for scioning.
3. At the top, the cuttings are cut off above the bud.
4. Make slanting cuts the length of the cutting diameter - 3-4 centimeters. The scion should have a bud on the reverse side.
5. On the sections, a tongue of bark 0.5 centimeters long is made. Cut from top to bottom under the middle lobe of the plane.
6. By bending the tongue, the sections of the scion and rootstock are connected with the coincidence of the cadmium layers.
7. Cover the area tightly with a washcloth and adhesive tape.

As soon as growth appears, cut the winding material crosswise.

Budding

Budding is carried out by grafting an eye or bud of a selected plum variety. The thickness of the rootstock should be 1 centimeter, a recess is cut out on it and a shield with a bud is inserted into it.The connection point is fixed with a special tape, leaving the eye open. The grafting can be carried out in the fall, then in the spring the bud will sprout. A peephole taken in spring is suitable for a summer procedure.

Handle

It is possible to graft a plum tree with cuttings even when the thickness of the rootstock is 2 times greater than the scion. Then an oblique cut is made on the tree, and then the width of the cut plane is reduced by making a second cut at an angle of 30 degrees. In this case, the width of the remaining plane will correspond to the thickness of the cutting. The rest of the procedure is performed as for copulation.

Kidney

They graft with a bud or an eye on a bark shield, and like this:

• make a T-shaped cut on the rootstock;
• bend the bark layer;
• insert a shield with a kidney there;
• The grafting site is firmly fixed with PVC tape.

It is better to graft on young plum shoots in August.

For the bark

If the thickness of the selected rootstock is from 2 to 4 centimeters, then bark grafting technology is suitable. Cut the bark crosswise to a length of 2-3 centimeters. With a thin scion cutting, the bark is separated on one side. To better combine cadmium, a layer of bark is removed from a thin cutting. Insert the cutting behind the bark, bandage the grafting site and coat it with garden varnish. Be sure to ensure that the entire oblique cut of the scion goes under the bark.

Into the cleft

This technology will allow you to plant several plum cuttings. The rootstock branch is cut transversely and straight. The sections are split perpendicularly in the middle. A wedge is made at the bottom of the handle, which is used to insert it into the split so that the layers of cadmium coincide. Then comes the treatment with varnish and tying the joint.

Into the side cut

This method is needed when the thickness of the rootstock is 2.5-3 centimeters.The cut is made with a sharp knife, placing it at an angle of 20-25 degrees relative to the axis of the rootstock. It is enough to cut to a depth of 5-8 millimeters. Turning the knife, bend the cut part. Then a wedge is made down on the scion, which is inserted into the side cut. When the planes coincide, they are tied and covered with varnish.

By the bridge

The rootstock is prepared with a butt or a bridge by cutting it across with a slight tilt of the end to one side. On the higher side, the bark and part of the wood are cut off longitudinally, cutting off the tongue. The width of the cut corresponds to the thickness of the grafting cutting. And the length will be 2-3 centimeters. Having connected the cuttings with the rootstock, they tie them with sponge, covering the top with garden pitch. The upper end of the plum cutting and the end of the rootstock are also coated.

How to care for a tree after grafting

After the operation, you should carefully care for the plum. They also monitor the condition of the grafted cuttings. If leaves appear from the buds on it, then engraftment has begun. Then the strapping is loosened or removed by cutting it across. If a large cutting was grafted, then you can only loosen the tape, but not remove it.

To prevent the tree from being weakened by grafting, it is necessary to free it from excess growth, emerging inflorescences and fruits.