When to graft camellias
This article provides you with the knowledge of when to graft camellias and the tips for camellia grafting, including the following details:
Camellias come in a variety of colors, with most flowers being red or light red, some white, and mostly double-petaled. Some precious camellia varieties are difficult to root from cuttings and can be propagated through grafting.
Some varieties produce bud mutations through grafting, and these mutations can be used to cultivate new varieties. Through grafting, the same plant can produce camellias with different colors, shapes, and blooming periods.
Grafting time for camellias
Early spring, February to March, for old branch grafting; May to June, for young branch grafting; September to October, for alternating new and old branch grafting.
Best time for old branch grafting
In early spring, February, when temperatures are lower, the nutrients accumulated in the rootstock and scion during the autumn and winter can be fully used for healing. After grafting, the scion can quickly germinate, sprout, and leaf during the vigorous growth period of spring. Once healed, the scion grows especially fast, with a much higher number of new branches than those from branch grafting.
Best time for young branch grafting
The best time for young branch grafting is in April to May, using semi-woody or newly lignified branches from the current spring as the scion and carefully cultivated young branches as the rootstock.
Both the branches that sprout from the rootstock and the new branches of the scion are very tender after young branch grafting, so both the scion and the young branches of the rootstock must be handled with great care. The tying and bagging must also be done with extreme caution to avoid breaking the tender branches.
Young branch grafting can heal in 20 days, after which the branches grow quickly, reaching 15 to 20 centimeters in length within half a year, and over 20 centimeters in canopy width within a year. The plant will bloom after one year and flourish after two years.
Grafting methods for camellias
1. Choose strong and fast-growing varieties such as 'Lion's Smile,' 'Honglu Zhen,' single-petaled 'Hongxin Dahu,' and 'Jinpαν Lychee' as rootstocks.
2. The cut surface of the rootstock should be flat and wrapped with tin foil or sealed with yellow mud, and the leaf buds of the scion should be plump.
3. Half of each leaf can be cut off, and the lower end of the scion should be cut into a 1 to 2 cm楔-shaped surface, which should be smooth and flat. It's best to use bark grafting for old branch grafting, with the scion side aligned with the cambium layer.
Care and management after camellia grafting
Special attention should be paid to temperature and humidity in old branch grafting management, as the temperature is low during grafting and the plants are kept in a plastic greenhouse for a long time. It is essential to control the temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse.
Young branch grafting requires two layers of shading for the first half month and then one layer will suffice. The branches should be covered with a small plastic bag after young branch grafting, and the temperature and humidity inside the plastic bag should also be controlled. High temperature and excessive humidity can cause the scion's petioles to turn black and rot.
The above introduction to when to graft camellias and the specific methods for camellia grafting are provided for your enjoyment!