Grafting Methods and Precautions for Navel Oranges

The methods for grafting navel oranges include: 1. Cleft Grafting: At a height of 10–15 cm above the ground, select a smooth, southeast-facing side and make a vertical cut deep enough to reach the cambium layer. Just above the cut on the rootstock, use a grafting knife to make a diagonal cut inward toward the center of the stock. Ensure the cut surface of the rootstock remains smooth to promote proper healing. When inserting the scion into the cut, align the short, sloped end of the scion with the base of the incision, making sure the bark and cambium layers of both scion and rootstock are perfectly matched. Finally, securely tie the graft union to ensure a tight seal.

Release date:

2023-10-27


  Cleft Grafting Method: When performing this technique, hold the scion in your hand. Using a knife, make an angled cut about 1–1.5 cm below the tender bud, then carefully peel off the bud along with a small piece of wood just above the bud. Be sure to trim the sharp tip at the base of the bud, leaving the bud piece approximately 2 cm long. Next, select a smooth, flat surface on the rootstock about 6–15 cm above the ground. Use a knife to make a downward-cut incision roughly 1.5 cm deep—avoid cutting too deeply, as just a slight touch of the木质 layer is sufficient. Finally, insert the prepared bud into the incision and secure it in place by tightly wrapping the area with plastic tape.


  Cleft Grafting Method: At a height of 10–15 centimeters above the ground, select a smooth, southeast-facing side and make a vertical cut deep enough to reach the cambium layer. Just above the cut on the rootstock, use a grafting knife to make a diagonal downward cut toward the inside of the stock. Ensure the cut surface on the rootstock is perfectly smooth to promote optimal healing. When inserting the scion into the incision, align the short, sloped end of the scion with the base of the cut, making sure the bark and cambium layers of both scion and rootstock are properly matched. Finally, securely tie the graft union to ensure a tight seal.


  Cleft Grafting Method: When performing the technique, hold the scion in your hand. Using a knife, make an angled cut about 1–1.5 cm below the嫩芽 (tender bud), then carefully peel off the bud along with a small piece of wood just above the bud. Be sure to trim the sharp tip at the base of the bud, leaving the bud piece approximately 2 cm long. Next, select a smooth, flat surface on the rootstock about 6–15 cm above the ground. Use a knife to make a downward-cut incision roughly 1.5 cm deep—avoid cutting too deeply, as just a slight touch of the木质 layer is enough. Finally, insert the prepared bud into the incision and secure it in place by wrapping the area tightly with plastic tape.


  These are the two grafting methods for navel oranges; when performing the procedure, you can choose the most suitable method based on your specific situation. Here are a few key points to keep in mind when grafting navel oranges:


  Grafting time: When using bud grafting for navel oranges, the process should be carried out between July and September each year. If branch grafting is preferred, it should be done from February to April annually. Grafting during these two periods ensures a higher survival rate for navel oranges.


  Tools needed: a knife and thin film strips.


  Preparing the scions: Collect fully matured autumn or spring shoots with plump, well-developed bud eyes. In spring, use scions harvested in autumn just before they begin to sprout; if purchasing scions from local sources, be sure to implement moisture-retention measures to ensure high survival rates.


  Preparation of the rootstock: Select vigorous, healthy seedlings with straight main stems and a stem diameter greater than 0.3 cm as the rootstock. Ensure the grafting site is at least 8 cm above ground level. During spring grafting, cut the rootstock 8–10 cm above the soil surface.


  Operation details: On the upper part of the rootstock cut, use a grafting knife to make an inwardly sloping cut toward the inside of the rootstock. The cut surface should be smooth to promote proper healing. On the side of the cut where the surface slopes downward, adjust the length of the incision according to the size of the scion: If the scion has a single bud, the rootstock cut should be slightly shorter than the scion itself. After inserting the scion into the cut, ensure that the bud remains exposed above the rootstock opening. Alternatively, if the scion includes a bud-bearing leaf blade, the rootstock cut should match the length of the bud exactly. In this case, carefully peel away about 1/3 to 1/2 of the bark at the base of the cut to prevent it from wrapping around the bud and blocking air circulation. If the rootstock is thick and sturdy, making it difficult to cut cleanly with a grafting knife, you can first use pruning shears to partially sever the rootstock before proceeding with the precise cut. Once done, smooth out the freshly cut surface with the knife, ensuring the cut remains on the lower side of the rootstock’s cross-section. When inserting the scion into the cut, align the short, sloped end of the scion flush against the bottom of the incision, making sure the cambium layers of both rootstock and scion are perfectly aligned. Finally, securely wrap the graft union using a 20-centimeter-long strip of plastic film. To seal the joint effectively, start by tying one end of the film tightly around the center of the graft for 1–2 rounds, then fold the top edge of the film back over to the opposite side and tuck it neatly into the wrapped area. This creates a small "film chamber" above the graft, which helps retain moisture and warmth—crucial factors that enhance the success rate of the graft. Once the grafted plant begins producing 3–5 leaves, carefully snip open the top of the "film chamber." This step ensures that the growing shoot isn’t restricted while still benefiting from the protective environment provided by the film.


Navel Orange Grafting