Grafting Lemon Trees – Grafting Fruit Trees by T-budding

Summary

This instructional video demonstrates the T-budding technique for grafting lemon trees, using a disease-resistant rootstock and a sweeter lemonade hybrid. The process includes sterilizing tools, precise cutting and placement of the bud, and wrapping for protection. It emphasizes the importance of using disease-free budwood, especially in regions with citrus tree diseases, and provides guidance on post-graft care, including breaking apical dominance to encourage growth and proper maintenance for a healthy, fruitful tree.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The T-budding method is commonly used for grafting lemon trees and offers a high success rate.
• 🍋 The lemonade lemon hybrid is less sour than traditional lemons and can be peeled and eaten like an orange.
• 🔪 Sterilizing grafting tools with a 1.5% chlorine bleach solution is crucial for avoiding the spread of disease.
• ✂️ Removing leaves and thorns and selecting a budding height of 8 to 12 inches above the soil is recommended for a healthy graft.
• 💧 An upside-down T cut in the rootstock can help keep water out, which may be beneficial in rainy areas.
• 🛠 Using a bark lifter to peel back the bark prepares the rootstock to receive the bud.
• 📅 T-budding should be done during a time of active tree growth to ensure the bark can be easily peeled.
• 🔍 The bud should be handled carefully to avoid touching the cut surfaces, and inserted right-side-up under the bark.
• 📦 Wrapping the bud tightly with vinyl tape is essential for a successful graft.
• 🚫 Due to the risk of spreading tree-killing diseases, using backyard citrus cuttings for grafting is illegal in California.
• 🌳 The Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) provides disease-free budwood for grafting citrus trees.
• 🌿 After grafting, a three-week healing period in a shady area is necessary before unwrapping the grafts.
• 🌱 To encourage graft growth, breaking apical dominance by partially cutting and pushing over the rootstock is necessary.
• 🌳 Removing sprouts from the rootstock is important to prevent competition with the grafted variety.
• 🌿 Encouraging branching involves cutting off terminal buds to break apical dominance again.

Q & A

What is the T-bud technique used for in the video?

The T-bud technique is used for grafting lemon trees, providing a high success rate and being effective for grafting new fruit trees.

What type of rootstock is used in the demonstration?

The rootstock used in the demonstration is a variety called Carrizo.

What is the name of the lemon hybrid being grafted in the video?

The lemon hybrid being grafted is called Lemonade, which is less sour than traditional lemons and can be peeled and eaten like an orange.

Why is it important to sterilize grafting tools before grafting?

Sterilizing grafting tools with a 1.5% concentration of chlorine bleach is crucial to avoid spreading diseases during the grafting process.

What is the recommended budding height above the soil for a healthy tree?

A budding height of at least 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) above the soil is recommended for a healthy tree.

Why is an upside-down T cut advantageous in the rootstock?

An upside-down T cut can help keep water out, which may produce better results in rainy areas.

What is the significance of the timing of T-budding in relation to the tree's growth cycle?

T-budding must be performed during a time of year when the tree is actively growing, which allows the bark to be easily peeled back.

How should the bud be handled to avoid damaging the cut surfaces?

The bud should be handled carefully, often by the petiole or with a knife if the petiole has fallen off, to avoid touching the cut surfaces.

What is the purpose of wrapping the bud tightly with vinyl tape?

Wrapping the bud tightly with vinyl tape helps to secure the bud in place and promote healing and growth.

Why is it against the law in California to graft with backyard citrus cuttings?

In California, it is against the law to graft with backyard citrus cuttings due to the presence of exotic diseases that kill citrus trees and the insects that spread these diseases.

What is the Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) and its role in the grafting process?

The Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) is a program that provides disease-free budwood for the grafting of citrus trees, ensuring a healthy and disease-free grafting process.

What is the importance of breaking apical dominance after grafting?

Breaking apical dominance by cutting halfway through the rootstock helps to overcome the natural hormones that prevent lower buds from growing, thus encouraging the growth of the grafted bud.

How long is the healing period for the grafted tree before the next steps are taken?

The healing period for the grafted tree is three weeks, after which the grafts are unwrapped and further steps are taken.

What should be done to encourage branching on the grafted lemon tree?

To encourage branching, the terminal buds should be cut off, breaking apical dominance and allowing the growth of new branches.

What is the final step mentioned in the video for the grafted lemon tree?

The final step mentioned is removing any sprouts from the rootstock to prevent them from outcompeting the grafted variety and producing undesirable fruit.

Outlines

00:00

🍋 Grafting Lemon Trees with T-Budding Technique

This paragraph introduces the T-budding method for grafting lemon trees, highlighting its ease and high success rate. The rootstock, 'Carrizo', and the lemon hybrid 'Lemonade' are described, with 'Lemonade' noted for its sweet and sour balance and edible peel. The importance of sterilizing tools to prevent disease spread is emphasized, along with the process of preparing the rootstock and selecting the right time of year for grafting when the bark can be easily peeled. The detailed steps of T-budding, from cutting the bud with wood attached to inserting it under the bark and wrapping it securely, are explained. The paragraph also discusses the importance of sourcing disease-free budwood, especially in California, and mentions the Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) as a solution. It concludes with a post-graft care routine, including a healing period and breaking apical dominance to encourage bud growth.

05:01

🌱 Post-Graft Care and Citrus Tree Maintenance

The second paragraph focuses on the后续 care of a grafted lemon tree, detailing the steps taken after the initial grafting process. It describes the removal of the top of the rootstock, staking the tree for support, and the importance of removing any sprouts from the rootstock to prevent competition with the grafted variety. The video script also touches on techniques to encourage branching, such as breaking apical dominance by cutting off terminal buds, leading to the development of new branches. The paragraph concludes with a mission to save citrus trees globally from diseases and encourages regular inspection of trees. Additionally, it promotes a free eBook with more citrus grafting tips available for download, aiming to educate and assist in the preservation of citrus trees.

Keywords

💡Grafting

Grafting is a horticultural technique where tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join together. In the context of the video, grafting is the primary method used to propagate lemon trees. The script describes the process of T-budding, a specific grafting technique, to attach a lemonade lemon bud to a carrizo rootstock, which is essential for creating a new lemon tree with desired fruit characteristics.

💡T-bud

A T-bud is a type of grafting where a T-shaped cut is made in the rootstock and a bud from the desired plant is inserted into this cut. The term 'T-bud' is central to the video's theme as it is the specific grafting method demonstrated. The script explains that this method is commonly used for lemon trees due to its ease and high success rate.

💡Rootstock

Rootstock refers to the plant that provides the root system in grafting. In the video, the rootstock is a 'carrizo' variety, which serves as the base onto which the lemonade lemon bud is grafted. The rootstock is crucial as it supports the growth of the grafted bud and contributes to the overall health of the new lemon tree.

💡Lemonade Lemon

Lemonade Lemon is a specific hybrid of lemon that is mentioned in the script as being less sour than traditional lemons and can be peeled and eaten like an orange. It is the type of fruit that the presenter intends to graft onto the rootstock. The Lemonade Lemon represents the desired outcome of the grafting process, aiming to produce a fruit with a balanced taste between sweet and sour.

💡Sterilization

Sterilization in the context of the video refers to the process of cleaning the grafting tools with a chlorine bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease. The script emphasizes the importance of sterilization to ensure a successful graft and to avoid introducing diseases that could harm the tree.

💡Bark Lifter

A bark lifter is a tool used in grafting to peel back the bark of the rootstock without damaging the underlying tissues. In the script, the presenter uses a bark lifter to prepare the rootstock for the insertion of the Lemonade Lemon bud, demonstrating a key step in the T-budding process.

💡Active Growth

Active growth refers to the period in a plant's life when it is vigorously growing and capable of healing and integrating grafted tissues. The script mentions that T-budding must be performed during a time of active growth to ensure the bark can be peeled back and the graft takes successfully.

💡Vinyl Tape

Vinyl tape is used in the grafting process to wrap and secure the graft, protecting it and ensuring the bud adheres properly to the rootstock. The script describes wrapping the bud tightly with vinyl tape as a critical step to improve the chances of a successful graft.

💡Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP)

The Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) is a program mentioned in the script that provides disease-free budwood for grafting citrus trees. This is particularly important in areas like California, where certain citrus diseases are prevalent. The script highlights the CCPP as a source for obtaining healthy budwood and discusses the legal restrictions on using backyard citrus cuttings for grafting.

💡Apical Dominance

Apical dominance is a concept in plant growth where the main, or apical, bud inhibits the growth of lateral buds. In the script, the presenter explains how to break apical dominance by cutting the rootstock to encourage the growth of the grafted Lemonade Lemon bud, which is a critical step in ensuring the success of the graft.

💡Disease-Free Budwood

Disease-free budwood refers to plant material that has been verified to be free from diseases, which is essential for healthy grafting. The script discusses the importance of using disease-free budwood to prevent the spread of tree-killing diseases in citrus trees, especially in regions with strict regulations like California.

Highlights

The T-bud method is commonly used for grafting lemon trees, offering an easy and high success rate technique.

The rootstock used is a variety called Carrizo, suitable for lemon tree grafting.

The grafted fruit is a lemon hybrid called Lemonade, which is less sour and can be peeled like an orange.

Sterilizing grafting tools with 1.5% chlorine bleach is crucial for avoiding disease spread.

Removing leaves and thorns and selecting a budding height of 8 to 12 inches above the soil ensures a healthy graft.

Cutting an upside-down T into the rootstock helps keep water out, potentially improving results in rainy areas.

Peeling back the bark with a bark lifter prepares the rootstock for receiving the bud.

T-budding should be performed during active tree growth to facilitate easy bark removal.

The bud is cut with wood attached, and care is taken not to touch the cut surfaces to preserve its viability.

Inserting the bud under the bark and ensuring it is grafted right-side-up is essential for successful grafting.

Wrapping the bud tightly with vinyl tape is important for securing the graft.

Grafting a second bud to the rootstock improves the chances of success if one fails.

The source of citrus budwood is critical due to the potential for spreading tree-killing diseases.

In California, it's illegal to graft with backyard citrus cuttings due to exotic diseases.

CCPP provides disease-free budwood for grafting citrus trees, with an option to order online.

Post-graft, the tree is moved to a shady area for a three-week healing period.

Unwrapping the grafts after the healing period indicates success if the buds remain green.

Planting the grafted tree in the ground provides a better start than containers for citrus trees.

Creating a watering basin when planting a citrus tree is recommended for optimal growth.

Breaking apical dominance by cutting the rootstock helps the grafted bud to grow.

Removing the top of the rootstock and staking the tree supports its growth post-graft.

Pruning sprouts from the rootstock prevents competition with the grafted variety.

Encouraging branching by cutting off terminal buds is part of post-graft care.

The video aims to save citrus trees worldwide from deadly diseases through proper grafting techniques.

A free eBook with more citrus grafting tips is available for download to aid in tree preservation.

Transcripts

This video shows how to graft a lemon tree using T-budding.

The T-bud is commonly used for grafting lemon trees.

It is easy and it gives a high success rate.

It works well for grafting new fruit trees.

This is the rootstock that I will be grafting to, a variety called carrizo.

The fruit that I will be grafting is a delicious lemon hybrid called lemonade.

It is not as sour as a traditional lemon.

It can be peeled and eaten like an orange and has a similar balance

between sweet and sour.

In order to achieve a successful graft and also to avoid spreading disease,

I sterilize my grafting tools with a 1.5% concentration of chlorine bleach.

First I remove the leaves and thorns from the rootstock.

A budding height of at least 8 to 12 inches or 20 to 30 centimeters

above the soil will make for a healthy tree.

I cut an upside-down T into the rootstock at this height.

An upright T will also work.

The advantage of an upside-down T is that it can help to keep water out.

This may produce better results in a rainy area.

Next I peel the bark back with the bark lifter on my grafting knife

to prepare the rootstock to receive the bud.

T-budding must be performed during a time of year

when the tree is actively growing, allowing the bark to be peeled back.

I cut the bud by slicing underneath it.

The back of the bud has wood attached.

The wood does not need to be removed.

It is important to avoid touching the cut surfaces of the bud.

It is often possible to hold the bud by the petiole where the leaf was attached.

Since the petiole has fallen off, I pick the bud up with my knife.

Next I insert the bud under the bark.

I cut off the bottom of the bud piece that was sticking out.

It is important to graft the bud right-side-up.

The bud should be on top.

The scar where the leaf was attached is on the bottom.

This is a thorn.

Next I wrap the bud tightly with vinyl tape,

starting below the bud and wrapping up.

My step-by-step article at fruitmentor.com/GraftingLemonTrees

has more information on wrapping material.

In order to improve my chances of success, I will graft a second bud to the rootstock.

This way I will succeed even if one of the bud grafts fails.

Citrus cuttings have the potential to spread tree-killing diseases.

It is often not apparent when a tree is infected with a fatal disease.

This makes the source of citrus budwood for grafting very important.

In California where I live we now have both exotic diseases that kill citrus trees

and also the insects that spread the diseases.

The situation is so severe that it is now against the law in California

to graft with backyard citrus cuttings.

Hobbyists in California now instead order their budwood at a nominal cost

from the Citrus Clonal Protection Program or CCPP, a program that exists to provide

disease-free budwood for the grafting of citrus trees.

I have made a video that shows how to set up an account and order citrus budwood.

You can click here or visit the link below.

The CCPP will ship budwood anywhere in the world where the local laws allow it.

Many citrus growing regions where it is not allowed

have their own disease-free citrus budwood programs.

Information on other programs is included in the ordering video.

After the grafts are finished, I move the tree to a shady area

for a three week healing period.

After the healing period, I unwrap the grafts.

Both buds are still green, an indication of success.

I would normally perform the next step with the tree in the container,

but my family likes lemonade fruit so much that I decided to plant the tree in the ground first.

Citrus trees do much better in the ground than in containers,

so this will give the tree a better start.

I create a watering basin whenever I plant a citrus tree.

Lemonade is my daughter’s favorite citrus fruit and she is excited to help.

I let the tree settle in for a few days before the next step,

which is forcing the grafted bud to grow.

A phenomenon called apical dominance governs the growth of citrus buds.

Natural hormones from the buds at the end of the branches

prevent buds lower down from growing.

In order for a grafted bud to grow, the effect of these hormones must be overcome.

I break the apical dominance by cutting halfway through the rootstock

and pushing it over so that the terminal buds are lower than

the newly grafted buds.

The timelapse shows about three weeks of growth.

After a bit more growth, I remove the top of the rootstock

and stake the tree.

Here you see the lemonade tree the following spring.

It is important to remove any sprouts from the rootstock.

If left to grow, it would outcompete the grafted variety

and produce undesirable fruit.

In order to encourage branching, I again break apical dominance

by cutting off the terminal buds.

Here you see the new branches on my lemonade tree.

I have made this video to save citrus trees all over the world from deadly diseases.

Another thing that you can do to save citrus trees is to inspect them monthly

You can download my free eBook with more citrus grafting tips at

fruitmentor.com/GraftingTips