Hi,

While reading the sticky beginner's guide, I don't get this part;

Quote:

12. If successful, bend top of rootstock down to reduce apical dominance.

Can anyone link a photo or drawing explaining this?

Btw, I learned that the rootstock must be cut when the bud grows to 12inch. We were cutting the rootstock as soon as we saw budding is succesful and the buds are green.

Thanks,

I don't have a photo, but the idea is to bend the top of the limb down and tie it so that the growing tip is now pointed downward or break the limb a few inches above the bud, but leave it still attached. Some people place a tie wrap just below the point where they intend to break the limb so that it does not split down the limb to the point where the bud is attached.

The reason for this is that the apical tip of the limb sectrets a hormone that supresses the growth of additional buds along that limb. That hormone apparently flows by gravity down the limb to supress any buds, but when you bend or break the limb so that the growing tip is pointed downward, the hormone cannot supress additional growth.

Thank you very much Skeeter

I guess I got it now, very detailed info but let me show an illustration;



Left illustration shows the bending method. So, the limb is not get broken when we bend it, right?

Right illustration shows the breaking method, it is same with what we do I guess.We cut the limb when we see the bud is alive.All I need to do is leaving some leaves on the limb, right?

So I will cut the rootstock limb 3-4 inches above the bud and I will leave some leaves.Then when the bud is 12inches long, I will make the final cut, 1/2 inch above the bud.

Thanks again,

The breaking method as I know it is a little different than what you have illustrated-- The limb is not broken off completely, but like what is called a "green stick break" where approximately half of the limb is still connected. The top part of the limb remains attached but broken and hanging down as in the tie down method, the break causes the release of hormones that stimulate growth.

There are actually 4 methods to force a bud-- tie down, breaking the limb, cutting the limb and knotching the limb just above the bud. I have used all 4 and all 4 have worked for me.

Ok, I see what you mean, thanks a lot Skeeter.

A photo of the bending method, I hope I did it right

That looks fine. What do you have grafted?

I was worrying if I need to bend only the top or the whole tree like this
I also cut few of the grafted trees to see the difference.It is very interesting that the bending method shows the difference in 7-8 days, it really works better.

I grafted variegated calamondin.

Thanks,

I have had good luck with bending. On horizontal limbs, you need only make sure the growing tip is lower than the bud to get it to go. From what I have read, I tkink it said that the breaking method was best, but with either the bending or breaking (and leaving attached) you still have the productivity of the top or the limb to support the bud, if you cut it off, you only have the roots for support.