Plants can be multiplied in various ways: by seeds, cuttings or by grafts. The latter is the most used in fruit trees, since it allows to have more resistant specimens to different pests and diseases, in addition to certain environmental conditions.
It is not as difficult as it might sound, and it will seem even less difficult after reading this article 😉. On this occasion, we are going to talk about bud or gusset graft, which is the one that is carried out from spring to autumn in trees and in some shrubs such as rose bushes.
What is the best time to do it?
Although it can be done at any time from spring to the end of autumn, the truth is that there are some plants to which it is more advisable to do it at certain times of the year, which are:
- Citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc.): These trees should be grafted just at the end of winter, when the risk of frost has passed and temperatures begin to rise.
- Rose bushes: it is also recommended to do it in early spring.
The rest of woody plants can be grafted at any time, except in winter.
How is it done?
To do bud grafting, you must follow this step by step:
- The first thing you have to do is make a vertical cut of about 3cm and then a horizontal cut on the pattern, which should measure at least 5cm in diameter.
- To the variety you want to graft, you have to remove the yolk (see top image). If you have a sheet, take it off to reduce perspiration.
- Next, you have to remove bark from pattern with a knife, and insert the yolk inside the cut so that the two cambiums come into contact.
- Finally, you must tie the graft with raffia, letting the piece of petiole and the yolk show a little.
After 20 days you can remove the rope. Easy right?