Grafting

Am doing some trial on fruit trees and in order to shorten the incubation time to fruiting, I have to look into grafting. Grafting can shortens the fruiting time to about 3 1/2 years as it takes on the traits of the mother tree (scion) which is already fruiting. Am doing some trials on grafting Avocado and Jack fruit seedling as these are seedling that I have germinated at the moment. I do not have any grafting experience and I started off just with some basic research on the internet.

Bought some tools such as pruning scissors ($18.00), grafting knife ($4.50) and some grafting tapes ($16.00)

Started my first grafting on a Jack fruit seedling back in August. Then tried grafting on rubber and avocado seedlings. These were down just to get some feel on grafting. I was figuring that it should not be too difficult as I see plenty people doing it when I bought my rubber seedlings rom Lembaga Getah nursery. There were lots of doubts especially when I snip off the top of the rootstock. Found it rather difficult as things are always not as ideal like the diagrams / instruction. My hands were also to 'hard' to do this fragile grafting, and my eye sight is also not sharp. Grafting was progressing very slowly. There were also my share of cuts, on my hands skin breaking due to pulling (tension) of the grafting tape. At night I feel muscle pain on my arms & palms.

 Finally manged about 20 grafting. Left these for about 3 weeks as I was away from my farm, on vacation. Come back and none was successful. Was thinking, well it is the first time.

 Did a second batch of about 60 seedlings on September, then went on vacation. Came back and was very happy as the grafted part is still alive. Thinking that it did not dried up after 2 weeks, it must then be growing. Estimated that I had a 65% successful rate, real good as it was only my second attempt.

 

  I released the grafting tape, thinking that it shall grow faster / better without it. It was a big mistake, as once release, lots of the graft come loose and as they started to dry up and wrinkle over a period of just a couple of days. I then tied back some of the grafts, but was already too late.











Ended up with lots of spoiled seedlings. As my grafting position isn't too low, I guess I can still try again on these seedlings.



Did further reading and find that cleft and side/modified veneer grafting should be easier for Avocado. Also since the weather is getting hotter, I read that protecting the graft with a bag, shall increase the humidity and prevent dehydration, allowing the budding to grow fast.

My mobile grafting station is a very simple set up. A stump of wood as a stool, which can swivel (my buttock). Tools, drinking water, hand phone for music entertainment, a pail of water to keep the scion fresh. All of these can be shifted when the sun change direction. A normal day, I shift about 3 times.

This time, I waited and saw buds starting out. Yes, this is definitely a bud and it is growing. I shall not make the same mistake that I did by removing the grafting tape. I watched it for 2 days, and removed the plastic as I was thinking that too high a humidity, it may rot the bud. It was big mistake number 2. All of the buds start to dry off and died.Most probably due to sudden dehydration. Again another case of over anxious.

Again what a waste. Have to re-do again, and hopefully the rootstock can still be used. I cover back some of the Jackfruit graft and hope that it shall grow. Been very busy finishing off those that can be grafted (still not very sure when to graft). Shall be away again, attending MAHA 2012 on the 22nd December.

Looking back from where I started, my confidence and experience had grown. There were a couple of times, I though of giving up, but because of the difference in fruiting time, I force myself to continue. I estimate that I had put in about 150 grafts effort, mostly re-dos, some up to 4 times on a seedling. Also with the next couple of projects on fruits and rubber trees, all these need to be grafted. The next in line shall be Soursop and lime.

Hope that when I come back after MAHA 2012, I can see good results of my effort.

Stay tune for more updates, MAHA 2012.