Grafting is a vital technique in horticulture, especially for citrus trees like mandarins. To begin, select 2- to 3-year-old fruit-bearing branches of high-quality mandarin varieties such as Xingjin Early Life. These branches will serve as rootstocks. First, perform ring barking at the base of the selected branch to stop the upward flow of nutrients, which helps direct energy to the graft site.
Next, on the side branches of the rootstock, carefully remove a small section of bark using a knife to create a space for the scion. The scion should come from a healthy sapling of a citrus variety like mandarin or tangerine. To protect the scion’s roots and prevent them from drying out, wrap them in moist soil and shape it into a ball. Cover this with a damp cloth, and then seal it tightly with clear plastic film. Secure the bundle to the rootstock branch with tape or string.
The soil used to enclose the root system should ideally be free of local fertilizers, but you can add a small amount of decomposed leaf soil and chopped straw or rice husks. This improves air circulation and strengthens the soil structure, preventing it from breaking apart too quickly.
After about 40 days, cut the grafted area above the ring-barked region with a saw. Transfer the new plant into a large plastic bag or container typically used for growing seedlings. Allow it to grow until spring of the following year, when it becomes ready for transplanting into the ground.
To increase the success rate of grafting, several key factors should be considered:
1. **Timing is crucial** – Grafting should be done between June and July, which is different from traditional orange tree grafting periods. If done between March and May, the root system may not have developed enough, leading to poor survival rates.
2. **Choose the right rootstock** – It's best to use fruit-bearing branches that haven’t yet produced fruit, as they tend to have higher graft survival rates. Avoid overly thick branches, as they are more likely to cause damage during cutting.
3. **Prepare the scion properly** – When cutting the scion, ensure the cut surface is angled to avoid cracking the xylem. After inserting the scion, apply a healing agent to promote faster recovery.
4. **Leave space between the graft and soil** – Maintain a 1–2 cm gap between the grafting tape and the surrounding soil. If the tape is placed too close to the soil, it may block the scion’s root from breathing, weakening the tree.
This method is suitable not only for citrus trees like mandarins, oranges, and grapefruits, but also for general fruit trees, ornamental plants, and even rare potted trees.
Another technique called **parasitic grafting** involves using the roots of an existing fruit tree as the rootstock. In this method, 2- to 3-year-old fruit-bearing branches are grafted onto the root system. The process is similar to conventional grafting, but the principle relies on the strong vitality of the root system underground to improve graft survival.
To perform parasitic grafting, first cut the root of the host tree and expose the cut surface. Then proceed with grafting using standard techniques. This method saves on seedlings, reduces costs, and allows for on-site planting or transplantation. If you plan to transplant later, choose a smaller root, around the thickness of a thumb. For on-site growth, a stronger root is preferable, but avoid making it too thick, as this could hinder overall tree development. Also, pay attention to the shade of the graft interface to ensure optimal conditions for healing.
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