Tomáš Trejbal – How to remove and store grafts for spring grafting…

What is the graft?

The graft is a twig that has grown in the past year. It is this year’s addition and you can find it at the ends of the branches. The best grafts have a power roughly like a pencil and you can see mature buds on them.

When to take the grafts?

For Peckoviny it is best to take grafts in December and January. At the cores from December to March. For grafting at the end of March, take the grafts at the latest in its half. In extreme cases, the cores can be grafted directly from the tree to the tree. At one point you take the graft and graft it immediately.

The key is that it does not freeze when taking grafts. Ideal is the temperature above zero, preferably around 2-5 ° C. Frost can damage the internal structure of the grab of the graft, which deteriorates its chance of successful implementation.

What you need

• sharp horticultural scissors or knife
• chip wax
• string
• tags
• Fix

How to take the grafts from the tree

Use sharp horticultural scissors to take grafts. Alternatively, you can use a Stepper knife. If you can choose, cut the grafts from the south side of the crown. The annual shoots on this side are most mature and have the most buds. Cut the twig at least 15 cm long. Strong about a pencil. With longer (20-30 cm) you will work better in the spring.

Only leaf buds should be on the graft. According to flower buds (larger and often rounded) you will know that it is not an annual shoot. Moreover, the flower buds do not serve to grow new branches, which is crucial for successful grafting. Treat the wound after cutting with graft wax, tree balsam, or at least white for trees. In stoneflies, such as plums or cherries, this care is particularly important, because the wounds are more difficult to heal here and are susceptible to fungal diseases, such as cytospora canker.

For cherries and cherries, shake the cutting wounds with graft wax and on the grafts. The grafts will be less dry.

How to mark grafts?

Glue the grab into a bolt from one variety and mark the whole bundle. Use coconut or jute rope for ties. On the label I write a type of tree, variety, date and place of graft (or source of the graft, for grafts that you did not cut yourself). The label is recommended by plastic and described by the marker so that you can read what is written in the spring.

How to store the grafts

The grafts must not dry, moldy, rush or freeze when storage. In particular, it is necessary to be particularly careful, as the vascular bundles of the graft may be damaged at temperatures below -5 ° C. You need cold, humidity and stable temperature above the freezing point.

Usually, they are injected into a bucket, flower pot or crate with sand or substrate and stored in a cellar or unheated garage. In smaller quantities you can have grafts in the refrigerator. Wrap the roller with grafts at the bottom with a damp canvas and place in the bag in the lower drawer in the refrigerator. It is important to check the moisture of the canvas and the grafts regularly to avoid molding.

About the author

The journey from the city of Tomas Trejbal brought to the natural garden. He builds his, beautiful and sustainable with great passion. www.chciprirodnizahradu.cz