When planting fruit trees the graft union should be?
When planting, dig the hole deep enough to allow the tree to be planted with the graft union 2 to 3 inches above the ground. If the tree is planted too deep and the graft union is below the ground level, the scion variety will form roots and the tree will become a standard-sized tree.
How do you calculate graft union?
Inspect the base of your fruit tree and you will find a slight bulge in the trunk with a distinct line running through it, that line is the graft union or the point at which the rootstock is united (grafted) to the scion. The graft union should be visible above ground.
What are the stages of graft union formation?
Successful graft union formation involves a series of steps viz., lining up of vascular cambium, generation of a wound healing response, callus bridge formation, followed by vascular cambium formation and subsequent formation of the secondary xylem and phloem.
Can you graft any tree together?
For example, one can graft peaches, plums, plumcots, apriums, pluots, apricots, nectarines, cherries and almonds all onto the same tree. One could also graft a tree of different citrus, or a tree of different apples and pears.
What is graft union?
The union in a graft is a lumpy, raised scar that should be just above the surface of the soil or just under the canopy. It is caused when the scion and rootstock are united. The scion is the variety of the species that produces and performs the best.
Do you cover the graft when planting?
A secondary advantage of covering the graft with the soil is that it tends to reduce suckering at the base of the plant, a common problem with grafted plants. Dwarf fruit trees are an exception: leave their bud union above ground. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and here is one.
Why should you locate the graft union above the soil line?
If the union is covered it may allow the scion to develop roots and the benefits of the size controlling rootstock could be lost. Conversely if the union is too high you may experience increased size control resulting in a smaller tree than desired.
What is a union on a tree?
An example of one of these areas of structural weakness is called an included union. This is where a side branch of a tree grows at an acute angle that leads to the branch and the main stem growing into one another.
What is Union in grafting?