How to Graft Osmanthus Trees for High Survival Rate
This article introduces how to graft osmanthus trees for a high survival rate and teaches you the correct method of grafting osmanthus trees. Let's take a look!
Recently, many gardening enthusiasts have been asking about grafting osmanthus trees. Now is a good period for grafting, so let's introduce the method that is used more frequently - the approach grafting. There are many methods for grafting osmanthus trees, and approach grafting is the most commonly used one. This method has the advantages of easy survival, quick shaping, and early flowering.
What is Approach Grafting
Many inexperienced gardeners may not understand what approach grafting is. In fact, the method is simple. It's about placing the rootstock with the pot close to the scion to be grafted, and then using methods such as padding, supporting, and fastening to secure the rootstock, making it convenient for grafting. At the same time, an incision is made on both the rootstock and the scion. Unlike ordinary grafting, the cut of the scion is not completely severed, leaving a large part to continue providing nutrients to the scion. After the scion and rootstock have completely grown together, the bottom of the scion is cut off from the mother plant, and the approach grafting is considered successful.
What Season has the Highest Survival Rate for Approach Grafting
The suitable seasons for approach grafting are spring, summer, and autumn. Personally, I think that grafting in May to June has a higher survival rate and faster and better wound healing. If you graft after the start of the summer heat, the high temperature will slow down the growth of the plant and wound healing, and in the hot and humid environment, the wound is prone to bacterial infection and rot. If you plan to graft osmanthus trees, now is the best season.
Rootstock Used for Approach Grafting
Usually, osmanthus trees are grafted with ligustrum lucidum, choisia speciosa, etc. It is necessary to cultivate the rootstock to be used in advance, which should be strong and free of pests and diseases. Moreover, it should not be too thin, generally, seedlings over three years old can be used as rootstock, with a diameter of more than 1 cm. If it is too small, the grafted plant will also be small, so it is best to choose rootstock with a diameter of more than 1 cm for grafting.
How to Graft Osmanthus Trees for High Survival Rate
How to Choose the Scion
There are also many varieties of osmanthus trees, such as the common golden osmanthus, silver osmanthus, cinnabar osmanthus, and four-season osmanthus. You can choose to graft according to the variety of osmanthus you like. First, select strong branches without pests and diseases from the chosen mother plant. The branches should be of moderate size, usually 2-3-year-old branches are chosen as scions, and the shape of the mother plant should not be affected after the scion is grafted.
Method of Approach Grafting
1. First, bring the rootstock with the pot close to the selected branch of the mother plant, then secure the rootstock pot using methods such as supporting, padding, and fastening the pot. Keep the branches of the rootstock and scion together, determine the grafting position of the rootstock and scion, and provide support and fixation.
2. After the rootstock is fixed to the scion, use a sterilized grafting knife to cut oblique surfaces at the grafting position of the rootstock and scion. The length of the oblique surface should be about 3-5 cm, and the depth can be 1/3 or 1/4 of the branch diameter. This way, both the rootstock and scion can still absorb their own nutrients, which is beneficial for wound healing.