Do you like gardening? This is a very entertaining hobby, which not only helps to invest free time well, but also acts as a therapy to release the common stress of everyday life.
Of course, as expected, having a garden requires a lot of care. It’s not just about sowing, watering and ready. In addition to that, you have to prepare the land, remove dead elements, such as leaves, flowers and dry branches. It should also be fertilized from time to time and monitor the plants to avoid the arrival of unwelcome invaders, such as pests, mold, etc.
However, all work and sacrifice is worth it when the plant blooms or when it bears fruit and it is time to harvest them. So, that becomes an incentive to continue planting and taking care of the garden.
However, for passionate gardeners, this is not enough. New challenges are set, in order to obtain unique results, which arouse the curiosity of all those who see them. This is possible thanks to grafts. Have you heard of this technique? Probably yes! But surely the answer will be different if we ask if you know how to do them.
But, don’t let the parrot go away! After reading this short article, you will have all the necessary knowledge about grafts, so that you can do them yourself, if you wish. What advantages does it offer? Are there any negatives you should consider? What is its importance? Is there only one type of graft? What plants can be grafted?
If you want to know the answers to these and other questions, you’ve come to the right place. Therefore, you cannot stop reading this short article. This information will surely have a positive impact on the appearance and variety of your garden. Let’s see.
Instructions
When we talk about a graft, we refer to the operation that consists of joining two different types of plants, but that have a certain relationship with each other. This, in order to form a single plant that has characteristics of both.
While one of the plants will retain its root and its main characteristics, the other is inserted, by embedding a fragment of branch in the trunk of the first. This part will form branches and fruits equal to those of the mother plant, from where we obtained what is necessary for grafting.
For this procedure to be successful, the contact between both plants must be perfect. Thus, the callus, which is formed when the wound is closed, will be responsible for joining both plants and communicating their tissues, so that the sap can circulate, freely, from one plant to another.
Types of grafts
Although there are many types of grafts, we could include them in two broad categories. The first would be the barb grafts, where a piece of stem that carries several buds is grafted and the second, the bud, where a yolk is grafted on the pattern.
Within the barb grafts we find the following:
- The English graft: which is done in stems that are thin, with e pattern and the barb of the same diameter. You must make a bevel cut in the pattern and in the pick. Then, on that same cut, another is made to both elements, in order to obtain some species of tongues. Both elements are assembled by means of the tabs, ensuring that there is total contact between the cambium of both plants. That is, the green layer visible when scraping the bark of a branch. This is vital for the graft to be successful. Finally, tie with special adhesive tape for grafts.
- Approximation grafting: This type of grafting involves welding two branches of entire plants. For this, both plants must be close. Each branch is lowered by removing a few centimeters of bark. However, the parts you remove must be the same and with the same height, so that, when joined, they fit perfectly. Finally, tie them up and cover them. When the union has occurred, cut the plant that you do not want to form trunk and branches. We can also find the branch stump graft, the lateral stake, the single slit, double slit, bark, among others. In relation to yolk grafts, we can find the following:
- Shield or T-grafting – this is most often used to produce fruit trees. It consists of grafting the buds of tree varieties on the patterns that have been obtained from seeds or cuttings.
The yolk is removed from the variety and then the bark is peeled off the other, with the knife, and inserted until the two horizontal cuts have been paired. Then, the graft is tied, allowing the yolk to peek out a little.
There are also patch grafts and splinter grafts. Whichever one you decide to use, the result will be the same. However, you must take into account some unique aspects. But what advantages does grafting a plant offer?
What You Need
The main disadvantage, or problem, of grafting, is incompatibility, since it negatively influences the genetic composition of plants. Some of its manifestations are:
- The union of the yolk and the pattern does not occur.
- Premature deaths occur.
- There is poor development in the graft.
- A strangulation occurs, which is known as a bottleneck, etc.
Therefore, in order to avoid these negative situations, which show that the graft has failed, you should take into consideration some recommendations.
Your advantages
- It allows plants that do not produce seed and cannot reproduce by cuttings to be perpetuated.
- A plantation is made in a short time, something that is very positive, especially for commercial purposes.
- It makes possible the renewal of old trees.
- It allows the reproduction of fruit trees with high productivity and quality of their fruits.
The plant produces much faster than those that have not been grafted, among many other advantages
Councils
In order for a graft to be done successfully, it is necessary to meet some fundamental conditions:
- Affinity: In order for the cay to form, there must be affinity. Therefore, the flats must be of the same species or species that are related to each other, as is the case of orange and lemon. It is not possible to graft strawberry with banana, for example.
- The cambium of the pattern and the graft must remain united. This is vital so that the welding can be done. Otherwise, the graft will not receive the sap of the pattern and will end up dying.
- The appropriate season: this will depend on the climate, the species and the availability of the buds. In many cases, the graft must be done at the time of lactation of the buds. That is, before flowering, but after harvest. In the case of the tropics, grafts can be performed throughout the year, but the most suitable period is when the rains begin.
- The graft should be protected after desiccation. Since the graft is a wound that must heal, it must be protected from water and the attack of pathogens that can cause different diseases.
Also, after the ignition, the grafts require certain care, such as desire, since the children tend to grow stronger than the grafts and generate competition. That is why they must be eliminated.
It is also necessary to take care of the graft from the attack of other animals, such as birds and those who live in the house, since they could cause serious damage, such as the breakage of the graft. However, if you take these tips into consideration, you can surely enjoy healthy and very productive grafts. A true miracle of nature.