Marcotting / Air Layering Breadfruit Tree.

Had been reviewing my procedure for preparing our planting material for the past few months. Looking for method to produce quality planting material in quantity with a limited budget for our own planting in the shortest incubation time.

The Breadfruit tree next to the wooden column.

My first trial on Air layering was about 3 years back, was a tourist farmer at that time with practically zero knowledge. Did quite a numbers of trial on Breadfruit & Avocado trees, all failed. It kind of left an impression with me that it's difficult & don't work.

I didn't took notice that it had rooted until my helper informed me.

Since I am having difficulty in propagating Breadfruit and Pomegranate, it kind of make me access  Marcotting / Air Layering again. Decided to try on Breadfruit first, it being seedless. Since I had finished my task early before I go on leave on July, decided to have some fun and tried on a total of 4 Breadfruit trees.

Breadfruit tree rooted.

Breadfruit No. 1 potted.

Out of the 4, 1 failed.

Failed marcotting. I had it re-do on a lower level.

Since the top still looks good, decided to pot it anyway and hope it'll grow.

I tried some with the coco peat disk. It comes dried so have to soak it in water for a couple of hours for it to get re-hydrated. It is more convenient and light weight.

Using Coco peat disk.

This disk are only in small size, I wish they have a bigger ones. As it is, it's only suitable for small size stems.

Another air layering using the disk.

Harvested successful Air Layered Breadfruit tree.

Lovely roots.

Hope it'll grow into a productive Breadfruit tree.

Made more air layering on Breadfruit trees.

Air layered Breadfruit tree, in the making.

Air layered Breadfruit tree in both trunks, in the making.

Air layered Breadfruit tree, in the making.

Need to wait for re-growth.

There is a Breadfruit tree, after harvesting, liquid is flowing out from the cut. Had it sealed, but there are still stain. Shall be incubating this and wait for re-growth before attempting further air layering.

Did 3 trial on the Pomegranate. I only realized that there are some sort of thorns on the pomegranate while doing this. On the matured stems, removing the bark is difficult. I then tried on a green stem, which is very easy to remove. Made a date stamp on all the marcotting and check back in about 3 weeks.

Other plants that I would like to try this on include Jackfruit (since it's a close relative of Breadfruit) Fig,  Lime, Wax Apple, Mango and even Avocado.

Grafting Tools, First Trial.

Did a trial run on the grafting tool on on Rubber trees, Jackfruit Tree and Avocado last month. Checked on the grafting when I came back to the nursery. None of the Rubber trees & Jackfruit trees took. Only a small numbers of Avocado took.

Look like the Grafting tool is not an easy to use tool. I have to learn how to use it effectively & successfully. As it's my first time, I am playing around with it. I started off with the U blade as it came attached with the tool. Cutting a U on the scion is not as easy as it seems. There is no aiming and I usually missed the center while cutting the rootstock. Cutting the scion is much easier. While playing with it I realized that the pruning part may post a danger and may injure our fingers. Kindly take necessary precaution. Thank goodness I was not cut. Personally I would prefer the pruning part to be on another tool.

Grafting Avocado with a U blade grafting tool.

Avocado grafting, U join.

Rear view of the grafting tool.

Can I use the hole at the bottom to aim? When cutting on the rootstock, it could be an issue. I then turned it around and tried U "saddle". Inverted U on the rootstock.

Avocado, saddle U cut.

Avocado grafting Saddle U cut.

I then switch the blade to the Omega style. Blade switching, click here.

Omega Cut, saddle.

Omega cut, grafting of rubber tree.

Yes, for Omega, we can use it straight or saddle. For the Omega style, we have to slide in the scion from the side. If we were to push it in, it shall damage the 'O' part.

One side matching.

Not matching side.

Scion and rootstock of different size, we can only match i side.

While turning the bobbin  I was surprised to see that the mark of the U and Omega side by side.

Note the cut marks of U & Omega cut.

 I only realized that they are of different 'depth'. I took the  V blade to compare and it's at the same length of the U. I wonder why.

Finally, I decided to try the V blade. This is the style that I had the most reservation. I feel that it is difficult to wrap as the sides shall slip out when the sides are compressed.

V blade attached on the grafting tool.

Did a couple of Avocado graft. Again The V can be used straight or saddle.

Avocado V shape grafting.

I just did a couple of straight V. Shall try the saddle when I have the opportunity. Stay tune for my impression of the grafting tool, coming soon.

Approach Grafting & Stone Grafting.

Distinguishing feature of approach grafting is that two independently growing, self-sustaining plants are grafted together. This self-sustaining characteristic of both plants which are to be grafted insures survival of both even if the grafting attempt is not successful. However odds of being successful are greatly enhanced because of the active growing condition of both plants involved and absence of a time limitation required for the healing of the graft union to occur before the dependent scion dies from lack of sustenance.

This grafting technique could be useful for me as the weather recently is extremely hot & relatively dry. I took interest into this technique as the previous Jackfruitthat I purchased is from Thailand and comes with Approach graft.

SongSang Red from Thailand.

I had also seen Durian being Approach grafted during my trip to The Philippines.

Note the raffles strings.

My Thai friend is also doing Approach graft for Avocado.
My initial though is that I need to sort out how to secure the rootstock to the mother tree. Next, I shall need to have watering source nearby. It also preferably be shaded. Accessibility to the mother tree (not too tall). Am trying to figure how to overcome these problems.

In the mean time, I did some Approach Graft on the small plant-let of the Jackfruit. Just for the feel of it.

Stone Grafting (Epicotyl).
Stone grafting is popularly used in Mango grafting. Am looking into it to see if this is applicable for Avocado. Shall do some reading first and may try some when I get back to the Farm 1st May.

Jackfruit, Acquiring More Varieties (Transporting Jackfruit Sapling) Part 2.

Previously from Jackfruit, Acquiring More Varieties.

The transported Jackfruit saplings, from Temerloh, Pahang to Keningau, Sabah, day 1. They look ok.

Jacfruits sapling, Day 1 after transporting.

 Day 2, things don't look well. The leafs and stems start to dry up.

Jackfruit Day 2, drying up.

Jackfruit sapling drying up.

Jackfruit sapling drying up.

Bag up Jackfruit saplings.

I immediately bag up all the Jackfruit saplings.
Day 9, some Jackfruit show signs of budding. I removed the bags of those.

Some bags removed.

 Day 12, I figure that after 12 days, things are stabilized now. I then decided to remove all the bags.

All bags removed.

Day 17, Those that are not well are turning worst. Decided to re-bag again.

Re-bag the Jackfruit saplings.

Did a stock count.
SongSang Red Transported 5, 1 budding.
CJ 3 Transported 10, 3 budding.
Mastura J 37  Transported 10, 4 budding.
Leaving them as they are as I'm on leave from 20th Nov. Shall be back on December to check on them. Hopefully more can recover.

Summarizing for a better transport
Sapling has to be very healthy, with lots of established roots.
Soil removal has to be done with care, without damaging the roots.
Maintain high humidity at all times, in a cool dark environment.
'Pot' it as soon as possible. Water thoroughly and regularly. Keep under shade.
Remove all new leafs, leaving maybe 2 ~ 3 matured green leafs. Bag up the plant, to keep humidity high for a week then slowly reduce humidity.
Then 'harden' it.
Ready for field planting.
Good luck.
Happy transporting.

Jackfruit, Acquiring More Varieties (Transporting Jackfruit Sapling).

Jackfruit, I love Jackfruit. Had been going banana over Jackfruit lately. Since I was having difficulties in getting various varieties of Jackfruit clone in Keningau, Sabah, I decide to acquire it from Peninsular. On this trip home, I tried to source for these. Pricing is definitely much cheaper over here.

Had planed to acquire Mastura J 37, CJ-3, CJ-6 and the New Red Jackfruit. I started on area closer to Kuala Lumpur, but unfortunately was not successful. Was on the verge of giving up, but thank goodness I manage to locate most of these ex-stock at Termeloh, Pahang.

Called up the owner for a final confirmation as it's quite a distance from Kuala Lumpur, about 140 KM. Started off 8 in the morning.

Along the way, I found some Jackfruit trees at the R&R Hentian Lanchang. As I came out of the Gents, I noticed quite a numbers of trees at the rear.

 I think these could be the Mastura.

Reached Tapak Samaian Suzi at about 10.30 am. Locating it was easy, exit the Pantai Timur highway at Termeloh, turn left at the T junction toward Termeloh after the toll plaza. It's about 300 M on the right. There is a small white signboard. As the owner had gone out station, Suzi's mum was at site to meet me. Makcik is a very nice lady, I took some plants and managed a short chat with Makcik. Was granted permission to take a couple of photos. They have a mid size nursery at the road side and they concentrate more on Jackfruit. I manage to acquire Mastura, CJ-3 and the Red Jackfruit.

I managed to load about 25 plants onto the MyVi. As this is a trial these shall do.

Reached home in the late afternoon and transferred these to the balcony.

Wavy leafs, Mastura.

Preparation before traveling
I started to pack up the night before my flight. Flight is next morning 7.50 am. hence I need to start off from my home about 4.30 am. I started packing early 7.00 pm the night before as this was my 1st time.Thank goodness for that as there was no working space in my small home. It's a small apartment located on the 1st floor. I did prepare by watering these plants regularly a couple of days before, but it's still difficult to separate out the soil. I tried on 2 Mastura and found that I broke many of their roots.

I then tried dunk the whole bag into a pail and try to bath the soil out. This is much better, but still not a perfect method, but giving the circumstances and time, it's the best that I can do. Getting rid of the soil is very messy as I need to walk thru' the living hall, dinning hall and kitchen, then out of our home and down the stairs. Being wet and muddy, it left a trail of messy dirt & footprint. Thank you to Alice my wife who help to clean up after me. Have to dispose the soil for every plant. Alice even brew tea for me. How lucky of me with a supportive wife. Couldn't get more photos as my hands were too muddy.

Packing Jackfruit sapling for transport.

I only manage to finish up at 11.00 pm. That is 4 hours of packing. I'm sure that doing it in a farm with proper equipment shall be much faster. I line the plastic bag with old news print, spray it moist. I need to seperate the different varieties in different bags, Mastura, CJ-3 and Red Jackfruit.

Packed and floor cleaned.

I bag all these 3 bags into a larger yellow bag. Cover the top with another bag. I tried to stuff this into my backpack, but it's slightly too long. Had no choice but to bend it slightly.

Traveling with my Jackfruit.
Zip up my bag, off to catch my flight with AirAsia As am hand carrying, was afraid that I may have issues with the custom department. Well it went smoothly. Was only queried on the content and is there any soil.
I tried to take care of the sapling through out my journey. On the bus and in the airplane. Today being traveling day, the sapling have to withstand approximately 40 hours before I can replant them. I pray that they can survive the long journey. I immediately open the top bag for inspection upon arrival to my place.

Arrived safe, Jackfruit sapling.

 I found that one of sapling was damaged. The old news print is still moist and some leak out to my backpack. Shall add in some water to keep them moist as it's already evening.

Damaged Jackfruit sapling.

Took them to the farm 1st thing in the morning. Immediately started to " pot" them.

Welcoming our new members upon arrival at our farm.

 I started with the Red Jackfruit, we only had 5 saplings.

Done, I marked them SR Songsang Red.

Next comes the Mastura. We have 11 of them.

Done, I marked them M37.

Next and lastly the CJ-3. We have 10 of these.

Done, I marked them CJ3.

Since I still have time, I germinated the Honey Jackfruit seeds from CML trading which I bought from AEON Jusco. These tasted very sweet, strong jackfruit aroma with strong after taste, crunchy and golden yellow color. I reused the disposable packing for the seeds, which have been clean of the sack and soak in water. I left some water there to keep them moist for the journey as Jackfruit seeds drys superfast. Let's see if I can identify this variety when they grow up.

Arrived still moist.

Have 22 seeds. I marked these S cml.

Finally got it all done. "potting" them was much easier as I'm in the farm and I have tools at my disposal. I shall keep all of them in the shaded nursery, let them recover, grows then only transfer.

Say cheese for the Jackfruit album.

Let's have a group photo for our album. With these we now have 6 varieties of Jackfruit in our farm. J 29, J 32 Mantin, J 33 Tekam Yellow, J 37 Mastura, CJ-3 and Songsang Red. Let's wish every one of them a speedy recovery so that they can be planted in the field and do their variety proud by manifesting their variety. This complete our story on our Jackfruit Journey, from Temerloh, Pahang to Keningau, Sabah. Stay tune for their outcome on their migration.

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it”
― Gautama Buddha