Citrus Growers Forum

tolumnia · Posted: Fri 11 Jul, 2008 12:27 pm

I have looked through the tutorials a bit, but still have a couple of questions about grafting.

1. Why do you not use current young growth? Seems like it would be growing better than using a scion from the last year.

2. Is there any particular time of day that is better to graft? Here it is so hot in the daytime, I was wondering if it is better to graft in the late afternoon.

Thanks,

JoeReal · Posted: Fri 11 Jul, 2008 1:54 pm

tolumnia wrote:

I have looked through the tutorials a bit, but still have a couple of questions about grafting.

1. Why do you not use current young growth? Seems like it would be growing better than using a scion from the last year.

2. Is there any particular time of day that is better to graft? Here it is so hot in the daytime, I was wondering if it is better to graft in the late afternoon.

Thanks,

You can use current young growth but it would require a lot more skills. You can even use micrometer stems using micrografting techniques if you have a nice laboratory like setup.

Problem with young growth is that they are not hardy in terms of handling, processing and surviving most field conditions, and they often would die. Also it takes longer for them to sprout than the last season's budwood. But I have used them successfully, only with lower success rates. Sometimes I have no choice but to use them, knowing their limitations I have to handle them with special care.

The best time to graft is very early in the morning or during the cool evenings during the summer. In spring or fall, practically if the daytime highs won't exceed 80 deg F, practically anytime is good.

Skeeter · Posted: Fri 11 Jul, 2008 5:04 pm

Joe is the king when it comes to grafting, but to add to what he said, there are two more things that I think help make grafting succeed. Do your grafting on a limb that is flushing. Second, make the time between cutting the bud and inserting it as short as possible--under 10 sec is possible.

One thing that makes older budwood better is that the stems are more round--third flush wood is considered best. That is budwood that has had two more flushes beyond it. That may be this years growth if it is cut late in the summer.

_________________
Skeet

tolumnia · Posted: Fri 11 Jul, 2008 5:34 pm

Thanks for the info. It is 91 outside right now at 3:30 and was about 90 at 9am. A bit hot to do much of anything.