‘Ulu Grafting and Air Layering
Learn more about Grafting and Air Layering Techniques
Do you want to learn more about successful grafting or air layering techniques? Anthony and Sami of Grow Paradise walk us through several grafting techniques along with proper air layering procedures. Applying these techniques can help to increase propagation numbers on your farm! Learn more about these techniques by downloading the link below!
GRAFTING
Grafting is the act of placing a portion of one plant (bud or scion) into or on a stem, root, or branch of another (stock) in such a way that a union will be formed and the partners will continue to grow. The part of the combination that provides the root is called the stock; the added piece is called the scion. Very few fruit seeds will grow into trees that actually produce good fruit. There are exceptions, and these exceptions are what we are familiar with (Haden Mango, Sharwil Avocado, Pink Lady Apple). To ensure good quality fruits, one should have trees that are grafted or air-layered. Plant seeds for future grafting, not necessarily for growing to full-size. There are mutiple grafting techniques. Cleft (4), Approach (1), Whip (3), and Tongue (2) are the most commonly used. We suggest that you start with and focus heavily on the cleft graft! Many nurseries use the cleft graft for fruits like Mango, Avocado, Citrus, Sapotes, Anonnas, & the Artocarpus group like Jackfruit, Marang, Ulu, and Cempedek.
This is PLANT SURGERY! TAKE IT SERIOUSLY FOR GOOD RESULTS.
1. Clean tools – Razor Blades or Knives with no rust, sprayed with H2O2 or Alcohol. Parafilm for sealing in moisture and protecting the wounds from fungus and bacteria.
2. Seal the wounds quickly, and if possible, use aloe vera on the cuts.
3. Timing is everything. Harvest scions at high tide, & attach the scion to the rootstock at the very next low tide. The longer you wait, the lower the success rate. It is best to graft 1 week before the full moon.
4. Protect your work from geckos, birds, insects, wind…everything! Within 3 weeks you will know if the wound healed and the graft was successful. Be patient and avoid watering for the first 10 days.
AIR LAYERING (MARCOTTING)
The best trees for air layering are Rambutan, Longon, Pulasan, Lychee, and even Citrus and Mango. Look for branches that are growing vertically, and that are exposed to sunlight. Girdle the stem and remove a 1”-2” segment of bark. Make sure all the cambium (green layer) is removed. Cover the stem with peat moss or coco coir, contained in a plastic bag or even a peat moss cube. Make sure the moss or coir is damp but not wet. Lastly, cover the plastic with foil to protect from the sun. In 12 weeks, roots should appear. Remove the branch below your work and plant in a 1-3 gallon pot.
Watch our instructional video on Grafting Basics to learn more.
For any questions about this guide please contact Anthony@Growparadise.com
