Apricot trees can certainly be propagated at home. But the usual and well-known methods in the home garden, such as sowing and propagating cuttings, are not the first choice here. Apricot trees are mainly grafted. This is how it works in detail.

Finishing is a complicated matter

What is refinement anyway?

When grafting, a tree is "grafted" with a part of another tree. A scion or a noble bud is used for this. From then on, the first tree only serves as a base, while the crown develops according to the new genetic material. This is to ensure that the tree bears other or desired fruits.

Benefits of Refinement

With this method, an identical copy of the apricot tree is created, which will provide the grafting material. If the tree were propagated from seeds, the result would always deviate from the mother tree. In this way, however, the desired properties can be safely retained.

Also the underlay can be selected according to properties that are useful. Their root system is usually more resilient and better suited to the soil conditions than that of the noble variety.

Appropriate base

To graft an apricot, you need a tree that is suitable as a base. This fruit tree harmonizes with every variety except cherries. However, it is usually refined to a plum or cherry plum.

Optimum time

The best time for budding, as the grafting process is known professionally, depends on the rootstock used.

  • on plum: July to early August
  • on apricot and peach: in August
  • on almond: August to mid-September

Notice:
Buds can also be grafted in spring. However, this is more demanding because the scions can dry up quickly.

precious bud

This is cut from an apricot tree that has already been grafted, and the tree to be grafted should adopt its fruit characteristics. It must be carefully separated from the shoot, leaving a piece of the shoot or bark on.

tips

It is possible to graft several types of fruit on a single base. This makes it possible to cultivate different varieties in a space-saving manner.

finishing point

The underlay can be refined in various places. Above the spot, the tree will develop according to the genetic material of the noble bud. A distinction is made between:

  • root collar grafting
  • Crown or head finishing
  • Framework finishing (inside the crown)

process of refinement

The bark of the rootstock is scored at the selected grafting point. The two cuts are arranged so that together they form the letter T. A special grafting knife is helpful here.

  • Score 3 cm vertically and 2 cm horizontally
  • Detach both bark wings from the trunk
  • Free the noble eye from the wooden tag
  • Firmly insert the eye into the prepared opening
  • cut off the excess
  • Put the bark flaps back on top
  • Connect occlusion site

It takes about six weeks for the planted material to grow. If it loses its green color in the meantime, the refinement has failed. If the eye keeps popping out, you'll know the effort was worth it.

Category:

Trees