There are many effective ways to graft trees, but they usually require unprecedented skill for the average gardener. If you are new to this business and do not yet know how to use a grafting knife well, then try grafting with a drill. It is used on a large rootstock, significantly larger in diameter than the scion.
What you will need:
- Grafting knife;
- drill or screwdriver;
- drills 6, 7, 8, 9 mm;
- countersink;
- plasticine or garden var.
Drill grafting process
This grafting is done on a large rootstock. The trunk of an old tree with its crown removed is also suitable. It is important that the rootstock did not have its own growing points. Only in this case will the vaccination take root.
A young twig with healthy buds is used as a scion. It is optimal if its thickness is 6-8 mm. A scion of such length is cut from the branch that 3 bud nodes remain on it.
The bark is removed 2 cm from the thick end of the cutting. The knife is held at an angle to narrow the diameter to the edge. It should turn out that the scion becomes slightly thicker at the bark.The bark itself in the cleared area should retain a border of green cambium. It is he who is able to grow into the rootstock, ensuring the graft takes root. At the end we trim the edge of the scion.
Next, take a drill with a drill whose diameter is 1 mm less than the cross-section of the scion on the cambium. It is advisable to treat the drill bit with alcohol before drilling. We drill the rootstock at an angle downwards. Then we countersink the hole.
Next, we drive the scion into it until the beginning of the bark.
After this, we cover the joint and the open edges of the scion with plasticine or garden varnish.
We make such grafts evenly on the trunk of the rootstock so that new branches grow symmetrically on it.
Drill grafting is not suitable for the sawn end of a trunk. There you will have to do it the traditional way.
