1.
The seedling rootstock of the same species to receive the bud is raised in a
polythene bag.
Bud
Drafting: Step by step
2.
One horizontal incision is made at the top end connecting the vertical cuts.
The bark along the vertical slits is pulled downwards and cut off leaving a
1 cm flap and a 2.5-4 cm long exposed panel.
3.
The rootstock should be of reasonable size, about 1-2 cm in diameter. Use a
grafting knife to make two parallel cuts of 2.5-4 cm at a distance of 0.8-1
cm apart downwards about 10-20 cm from the ground level.
4.
The scion-source material is a selected budstick of a quality clone, from which
a number of buds can be obtained. Leafy shoots must be defoliated immediately
at the same of collection to reduce moisture loss. The deleafed budstick is
then cleared and treated with fungicide.
5.
Two parallel cuts are made vertically between the selected bud on the budstick.
6.
A piece of budwood similar in size and shape to the exposed panel on the rootstock
is obtained from the budstick by making 2 horizontal cuts about 1.5-2 cm above
and below the bud. The piece containing the bud is gently lifted and peeled
off from the wood without bending it.
7.
The detached bud is then ready for grafting onto the seedling rootstock.
8.
Insert the bud in position and ensure all exposed edges of stock rind and scion
piece are in contact. The preparation and insertion should be done rapidly to
prevent the tissue from drying or else the persentage success will be low.
9.
Tie the bud piece firmly with plastic tape so that the bud is in good contact
with the cambium of the rootstock.
10.
Examine the bud about two to three
weeks after bud grafting by loosening the tape. If the bud is still green, this
means the grafting is successful. The binding material should be removed after
the union has taken place to avoid girdling.
11.
The stock is then cut off at about
3-5 cm above the bud to enable the new bud to grow vigorously. Any new shoots
growing out from the rootstock should be removed.
12. A successful budgrafted
sapling ready for field planting.
This
will ensure that the right type of fruits are produced from the budgrafted plant
and not from the rootstock of unknown quality.
