For the propagation of fruit trees, tree nurseries mainly use budding or eye grafting, because this has many advantages over other techniques. The method is quite easy and quick to carry out, and the growth rates are very high.
Fruit trees are best transplanted in spring
The right time
The perfect time for seeding is either spring from May to June or summer from July to August. In the spring, the oculation takes place on the driving eye. This means that the inserted eye still drives out in summer and forms a shoot. However, this often does not mature and therefore freezes back in winter. Therefore, native fruit trees are mainly propagated by budding on the dormant eye. It won't sprout until next spring, but that doesn't mean it won't start growing until then.
Budding a fruit tree - instructions
The budding should be applied at a time of good bark dissolution. In addition, it should be so late in the year that the eye no longer drives out. A good time is therefore between July and the beginning of September. The rootstocks used are usually annual to biennial.
Cut graft shoots
Cut the grafting veins from this year's strong shoots shortly beforehand. To reduce evaporation, cut off all leaves at once. You do not need to remove the petioles, however, because they will still be useful for later grafting. If grafting is not done immediately after cutting, store the buds wrapped in a damp cloth until the appointment.
Prepare base
On the day of grafting, first clean the root collar of the rootstock from dust, sand and other dirt with a dry cloth. Disturbing shoots are also completely cut away. Now a T-cut is made on the base at the level of the intended grafting - usually at a height of about ten centimeters - which will later accommodate the eye of the noble variety. The cut should only cut through the outer bark and not go into the wood.
Cutting and pasting the precious eye
Cut and insert the scion's eye as follows:
- Place the budding knife about two centimeters below the eye.
- Separate the eye from the wooden part of the shoot with a cut.
- The incision should end about an inch above the eye.
- The cut surface should be elliptical in shape.
- Carefully slide the severed eye from above into the open bark pocket of the pad.
- It should be sticking out of the center of the incision.
- The part that protrudes above the horizontal cut of the base is cut off.
- Finally, connect the grafting point with a rubber band or with raffia.
- The eye remains free.
tips
Here the oculation on a sleeping eye is described. But the method can also be used on eyes that are already drifting, for example by chipping.