In the life of every gardener, beginner or experienced, there comes a time when it is necessary to graft fruit trees. Apple trees are considered to be common inhabitants of gardens, which the owners of the site often have to deal with. Preparing cuttings for grafting an apple tree has many subtleties, knowledge of which will facilitate the process and allow you to stock up on good raw materials. Before you go to harvest the scion, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the features of the process, rules, and advice from experienced gardeners.
What you need to know before preparing cuttings for grafting
Before preparing cuttings, it is recommended to find out the characteristics of these small parts of the branch, each of which hides a mysterious force that can give life to a full-fledged apple tree. The new tree will retain the maternal characteristics. A prerequisite is to stock up on plant raw materials from proven trees, after first making sure of their varietal characteristics and yield.
Features to remember when stocking up on shoots for grafting:
- use only annual shoots;
- It is recommended to cut branches located in the outer parts of the crown - strong and well developed under the sun's rays;
- try to cut shoots from the southern part of the apple tree - they have short internodes and well-developed eyes.
Grafting will take place without any hassle if you use shoots growing in the middle tier of the apple tree - they are considered to be of the highest quality.
What does a good scion cutting look like?
Good grafting cuttings have a few things in common that new gardeners should definitely know. The harvested apple tree plant material should look like this:
- length varies from 30 to 40 cm;
- shoots were cut from apple trees aged from 3 to 10 years;
- thickness - up to 10 mm (about the same as a regular pencil);
- there are 3-7 pronounced buds.
Another feature of prepared cuttings is that the internodes should be short; how quickly the scion will take root depends on them.
When and how are cuttings prepared?
When asked about when cuttings are prepared, experienced gardeners will answer with confidence - it is recommended to engage in this fascinating process twice. Go to the garden with the passing of winter, with the first days of spring or before the onset of winter cold - at the end of autumn.Most gardeners cut scion for apple trees in the fall.
Autumn advantages of taking cuttings:
- the first frosts managed to harden the shoots, destroy pests, and disinfect them;
- plants have entered the dormant stage;
- there is a guarantee that the shoots will no longer freeze, because they successfully survived the first frost;
- It is recommended to use only dormant shoots for grafting, and the retired scion will remain in this state until spring.
If you were unable to make a supply in the fall, you will be able to cut the cuttings just as well in the spring, the main thing is not to be late. The buds should be at rest; if they begin to bloom, there is a risk that the scion will not take root.
Before harvesting shoots, it is recommended to disinfect the pruning shears and prepare tags (if the branches will be cut from several varieties). The cuttings are cut obliquely, immediately tied into bunches, indicating which variety is being prepared.
Storing cuttings: where and how to store
A prerequisite for successful storage is that the cuttings must be at rest until use. The main tasks facing a gardener:
- do not allow the shoots to freeze;
- make sure that they do not start to deteriorate;
- prevent drying;
- do not allow rodents to spoil the planting material.
There are several good ways to preserve plant materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Residents of cool regions where there is constant snow in winter are advised to use special piles:
- Dig shallow (up to 30 cm) trenches, lay the cuttings, first covering the bottom with conifer needles.
- Cover the plant material with spruce branches, chopped straw, and a layer of soil.
- Pour a high snowdrift (at least half a meter) and compact it with a shovel.
- Place a layer of sawdust (up to 20 cm).
The disadvantage of this method is that there is a risk of damage to the grafting blanks by rodents. You can prevent damage by using a plastic or metal mesh with small cells.
It is also recommended to use a cellar for storage. It is enough to place the cuttings in burlap or tight bags (no need to tie them) and place them in a container with moistened sawdust, peat, and moss. Moisturize as needed.
If there are few cuttings, use the refrigerator. Place the plant material in a plastic bag, leave it loosely tied, and place it on the bottom shelf. Check during storage.
When is the time for vaccination?
Despite the fact that the apple tree is grafted well throughout the year, it is best to do this in early spring. It is recommended to carry out grafting at the beginning of the growing season - at this time the sap is just beginning to actively move through the wood, and the bark is well behind.
If the grafting is carried out in a split, then it is better to hurry up and carry out the work even before the sap begins to flow, during the dormant period. Usually this is the beginning of April, but in warm regions it is recommended to start the process earlier - from mid-March. If there is a risk of frost returning, postpone the date by several weeks.
Grafting, in which the scion is inserted into the side cut, is carried out in summer, spring, even winter, especially if the seedlings have already outgrown.
Useful tips from experienced gardeners
There are some useful tips from experienced gardeners that beginners are advised to listen to:
- Before grafting, make sure the cuttings are suitable - lower them cut side into water, and after half an hour carefully inspect the liquid.If it remains transparent, use the shoots; if it becomes cloudy or yellow, stop using it - they are no longer suitable.
- For harvesting, use plant materials from trees that are constantly pruned - they are stored much better and actively take root.
- When harvesting young seedlings, try to cut only the branches that will be removed during pruning, so as not to injure the tree.
- Use garden varnish - it will protect the cuts from infection and bacteria that can damage the shoots.
- Prepare more cuttings than are needed - even if some of them deteriorate during storage, there will be a sufficient amount of plant material left for grafting.
Another important tip is not to use thin, damaged or twisted branches - they will not grow a good apple tree.
Taking cuttings is a fascinating process, and after a little effort it will certainly result in wonderful results. The apple tree will definitely reward you for your efforts with a good harvest of juicy, aromatic and healthy fruits. The main thing is to follow the rules and recommendations of experienced gardeners and not engage in experiments that can harm the tree.
