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Grafting
Tree Peonies |
Page 3 |
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3.) Preparation for grafting The roots and the scions need to be sanitized before the
grafting takes place. This is done by using one part Clorox Bleach to
approximately ten to twenty parts water. Soak the roots and the scions for up
to 1 hour in the solution. The roots will appear lighter in color than before
the treatment. The scions will appear to be virtually unchanged. Rinse the
roots and scions well to remove bleach solution. All materials, tools and
work surfaces should also be sanitized with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) just
prior to grafting. |
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4.) Prepare the scion: Lay the scion on the cutting surface
and press a clean (preferably new) single-edge razor blade through it at
about a 30% angle. Next place the scion on
the cutting surface with the previous cut down. Cut the scion
again with the razor at the same angle as before. The aim is to make two cuts
so they have about the same surface area. If one of the surfaces is too
large, the other surface can be re-cut to balance the size of the two
surfaces. See illustrations. |
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Left drawings show different
views of the typical wedge graft. |
Right Drawings demonstrate the
flap 'approach' graft. Not the flat bottom to each cut. |
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5.) Prepare the nurse root: Cut a thin
sliver off the top and bottom of the rootstock to be used in the graft. This
is to remove areas of the root that has been penetrated by the Clorox
Solution. Next cut a cleft in the rootstock to match the triangular cut
that you have made to the scion. This is actually the hardest part to
get correct. The aim is to excavate a piece of the rootstock out that
is exactly the size of the triangular cut on the scion. This may take
considerable practice to get correct. Note: If the rootstock is larger and firm, a cleft that is too narrow is preferred to one that is too broad, because the scion can spread the cleft apart and the banding material will hold the two pieces tight. If the rootstock is small and softer the cleft can be a bit broad and the banding material can draw the rootstock in to make firm contact with the scion. |
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Left drawings show a cleft to
match the wedge described above. |
Right drawings show a flap
‘approach' graft suited to the cuts shown above, right. |
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