Hannah grafts a new plum variety onto her existing plum tree to double her fruit production. Subscribe 🔔 [ Ссылка ]
Hannah’s Greengage plum tree is an old favorite. It’s a cultivar which produces medium sized green fruit that is rich, sweet and tasty. However, this tree is not producing as well as it could. They can be prolific producers after only a few years and are partially self-fertile which means that the flowers on one tree can cross-pollinate with each other to produce fruit. Self-pollination is not always reliable, so Hannah is introducing a pollination companion.
The Golden Drop plum has similar fruit, they’re a bit larger with a more balanced flavour. Rather than clearing a new space for another tree, she’s grafting this variety onto the Greengage tree. The small branch cuttings of the Golden Drop are called scion wood, and these will be fixed onto the existing plant which is called the rootstock. Grafting is a technique where two different types of plants are merged to grow as one. Growing Greengage and Golden Drop plums on the same tree is not only space savvy, but also time efficient because scion wood will begin fruit production earlier than a new baby tree.
Take scion cuttings in deep winter when the tree is completely dormant. You can store them in the fridge until late winter or early spring, which will be the best time to do the grafting process. Under the surface of the bark is a thin green layer called the cambium, this is where all active growth occurs and where the plant will produce new cells to join the two pieces of wood together. On either side of the cambium layer are the xylem and the phloem which transport water and food throughout the plant. When these three layers join up successfully, the new branch becomes just another part of the tree.
When you want to increase pollination and get loads more fruit off your tree, it’s good to have a few grafting techniques up your sleeve so you can choose the right one for your situation. Before grafting, it’s a good idea to sterilise tools with a blend of metho and water.
Whip and Tongue:
This technique creates Z-shaped puzzle pieces with increased surface area which helps the layers join up and keep a firm hold.
1. Locate where you want to graft the new plant (the scion) onto the exiting plant (rootstock). The stems should be of similar thickness, so that they fit together well. You may need to prune the rootstock to a suitable spot. Plan for the buds on the scion to face upwards and outwards.
2. Slice the rootstock at a sharp angle, this is the whip. Then make a short cut straight down around 1/3 in from the high end to make the tongue. Do the same on the scion, so the shape matches up and slots into the prepared rootstock.
3. Fit together the scion and rootstock, making sure at least one side of the union has the cambium layers touching. The great thing about grafting is that close enough is actually good enough.
4. Wrap the union with grafting tape, so it's nice and secure. You may also want to paint the ends with bitumen rubber or graft sealing paint, so it doesn't dry out.
Cleft Graft:
This technique creates V-shaped puzzle pieces and is more ergonomic when working with established trees or awkward angles.
1. Cut the rootstock at a point that has the same diameter as the scion. Then split it down the centre to create a cleft, this is where the scion will be inserted.
2. Cut the scion with a double bevel that tapers to a single point (V) and adjust the cuts until it is thin enough to insert snugly into the cleft.
3. Line up the union so that the cambium layers meet. Don't be tempted to centre the scion wood perfectly into the rootstock branch; it's rare that they'll be exact. You may want to put a little tilt in it, so that you know at least one or two points of cambium layer make contact.
4. Wrap the union with grafting tape and finish with sealing paint.
Now all that’s left to do is wait for spring when the grafts will take!
Featured Plants:
PLUM ‘GREENGAGE’ - Prunus cv.
PLUM ‘COE’S GOLDEN DROP’ - Prunus cv.
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