The grafting of the walnut tree brings several advantages: an earlier first and better quality harvest and an optimized resistance to pests and diseases. It's a good thing that there are also simple methods of grafting that laypeople can dare to try. We present you with one possibility: in-house finishing.

If the walnut tree is at least one year old, it can be grafted

Grafting the walnut tree step by step

First of all, the note that December is the best month to graft the walnut (but only if there is no ground frost). Also note that the tree must be one to two years old (grown from a nut) before you can graft it.

preparation phase

  1. Dig the young plant out of the ground with its roots.
  2. Shorten the seedling to a length of about 15 centimeters.
  3. Remove the side shoots.
  4. Plant the prepared seedling in a pot filled with soil.
  5. Put a clear plastic bag over the plant. This creates humidity and heat, which favors rapid bud formation.
  6. Place the pot in a bright room (temperature: around 20 degrees Celsius).
  7. Keep the soil constantly moist.
  8. The first buds open after two to four weeks. Then the walnut is ready for the actual refinement.

finishing

  1. Saw off a scion from your seedling. This scion is an approximately 50 centimeter long shoot from the crown that grew in the previous year.
  2. Find a spot on the plant that matches the thickness of the scion.
  3. Cut the shoot diagonally (30 degree angle) at this point. Be sure to leave an incision scar of about five to seven centimeters.
  4. Shorten the scion to a length of ten centimetres. Important: You must also cut it at a 30-degree angle.
  5. Place the two incision scars directly on top of each other.
  6. Stabilize the “weds” with an elastic band or a rope.
  7. Seal the connection. To do this, use warm liquid wax.
  8. Again, place the grafted seedling in a bright, warm place in the apartment.
  9. Check the plant regularly. Immediately cut off potential shoots below the grafting point.
  10. Remove the plastic bag after two to three months (when the first leaves sprout).

final stage

  1. Place the pot in the greenhouse or (if you don't have one) in a partially shaded spot in the garden until mid-March. In the case of the second variant, however, the seedling must always be kept indoors at night (frost protection).
  2. As soon as there is no more fear of ground frost, you can plant the grafted walnut in the garden.

Category:

Vegetable garden