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.