How to plant an apricot with fresh cuttings correctly for beginners and is it possible

Apricot grafting is the only way to get a full-fledged tree that retains the maternal characteristics of the variety, begins to bear fruit early, and is not afraid of difficult climatic conditions. Beginning gardeners are reluctant to resort to this method, preferring to purchase ready-made seedlings, which often die. Do not rush to conclusions and abandon the process - knowing how to graft apricots, it is easy to increase the number of these trees in the garden.

Why vaccinate

The apricot grown from the seed does not always retain maternal characteristics.It often happens that fruiting occurs after 5-7 years. Fruits do not indulge in size and taste - unsweetened and small. It is also difficult to guess which variety is preferable for the region - often the trees die already at the first frost in the middle lane.

Vaccination allows you to get a full-fledged tree that has adopted the characteristics of the apricot variety from which the cuttings are cut. Another advantage of a grafted plant is endurance, resistance to cold and heat.

Preparation for the procedure

For beginner gardeners, it is recommended to prepare for grafting in advance - look for a suitable variety, stock up on cuttings. Harvest a scion from he althy varietal apricots, which have already managed to please the harvest. Store cuttings in a cold room.

About when it is better to stock up on cuttings, the opinions of gardeners differ. The graft is often cut in the fall, but the winter shoots also take root.

The main thing is to harvest cuttings on a warm day.

Optimal timing

Each experienced gardener has a preference for the timing of vaccination. Some plant cuttings in the spring, others like the autumn procedure. Each term is good, has advantages and disadvantages, so it is better to check for yourself when engraftment is best.

The summer procedure is also carried out often, although the requirements of agricultural technology should be observed here. July is considered the most preferable for successful apricot grafting. August is also good for residents of warm regions - the plant will have time to take root.

What fruit trees can be grafted with

It is not necessary to graft an apricot with relatives - excellent results are obtained using other crops. The main thing is to first find out which plants will be grafted most effectively.

You can graft an apricot on the following crops:

On the plum. Use only semi-wild varieties. A pinned tree will have endurance, stamina.

On a peach. It is recommended that vaccination be carried out only in warm regions - the peach is not frost-resistant, therefore it easily dies in severe frosts.
On cherries. A risky process - the survival rate of the vaccine is low. Another disadvantage is that the place where the cutting took root often breaks even with weak gusts of wind.
Cherry. As with sweet cherries, the survival rate is low, the cut points often break.
On cherry plum. By crossing two crops, it will be possible to grow an excellent tree - undemanding to the composition of the soil, resistant to frost and drought.

Beginners should try their hand at grafting suitable crops that have similar characteristics to apricots. Only after the first successful experience, proceed to more capricious plants.

Preparation of cuttings

The recommended length of the cuttings is no more than 15-17 cm. Be sure to make sure that they have 4-6 full-fledged he althy buds. In autumn, harvesting is carried out after dropping leaves - in November. Send after tying in bundles for storage, a cool room is suitable for this. If there are a lot of cuttings, use furrows dug in the ground for storage - tightly lay plant materials, sprinkle with sawdust, straw, dig in with soil.

Before frost, cover with spruce branches, spud with fallen snow.

If harvesting occurs in spring or summer, it is recommended to use fresh cuttings that have grown after winter. Capture a little of last year's growth, and be sure to remove the top kidney. It is better to vaccinate with green shoots - the survival rate grows significantly.

Varieties and technologies of carrying out

A prerequisite for a successful procedure, regardless of the chosen method of carrying out, is to make the cut quite high from the ground surface. The distance from the soil to the cut line is up to 30 cm. For mature trees, it can be increased up to one meter.

Before sending to the garden, check the cuttings. It is recommended to make a fresh cut under the kidney - experienced gardeners say that this will increase the survival rate.

Copulation

Use the method only for spring grafting. It is recommended to carry out with the same diameter of the scion and rootstock. The process is carried out in two ways - they fix oblique sections or make a tongue on the rootstock, a deepening on the scion (this technique is more effective).

The cut is fixed with adhesive tape, garden pitch, film. The first year, carefully monitor the condition of the plant. A month after the procedure, slightly loosen the bandage, after six months, remove the fixing layer.

Split

Use when the difference between the diameters of the scion and rootstock. Use the split method only in spring or early summer.

Procedure:

Cut down a tree at the required height, clean the cut carefully.
Split the trunk in the middle to a depth of 3-5 cm with a sharp knife.
Turn the tip of the handle into a wedge (cut from both sides or in a circle).
Insert one or two scions into the slot.
Tie the trunk with tape, fix it, pour it tightly with garden pitch.

If you managed to pinch it successfully, the first leaves will begin to bloom in a month. Remove the bandage after six months.

Budding

Apricot grafting by budding is rare, the survival rate is too low. It is recommended to use green shoots that are cut off before the procedure itself. There should be 2-3 buds on the handle. It is better to cut it under the eye.

Make an incision on the main tree (up to 3 cm high). Bend back the bark, insert the slaughtered cutting. Fix using garden pitch, tape.

For the bark

The procedure is carried out on mature trees. You can apply the process at any time of the year. After sawing the trunk, pointed cuttings are inserted behind the dissected bark, fixed with electrical tape. It is recommended to plant several shoots on one trunk, at least one of them will definitely take root.

Inside cut

The process resembles budding. The only difference is that the side cut is made much larger, several cuttings can be placed in it. The chances of a good survival are greatly increased, at least one of them will certainly release leaves.

Bridge

The method is usually used on apricots damaged by rodents in winter. The process is simple - remove the affected parts of the bark, insert the prepared cuttings into a pocket (strengthen from above and below), fix. The bandage must be left for several months, it is better to remove it in the fall.

Tree care after grafting

Much in the survival rate of cuttings also depends on how well the care will be carried out. Few rules:

be sure to remove the shoots that grow densely near the trunk, numerous shoots actively consume nutrients from the soil, weakening the tree;
if the cut is tightly wrapped during grafting, make sure that the stem is not overtightened, loosen the bandage after a month;

the engraftment period is considered the entire current year, cutting a tree is allowed only after a successful wintering;
every beginning of the month during the warm season, carry out the introduction of nutritional compounds, apricots urgently need a lot of nutrients to restore strength.

Young leaves must be protected from pests, diseases - spraying, using folk methods. Water the grafted tree with care, avoid overflow. Do not apply top dressing for the first year after the operation.

Grafting an apricot, if you carefully understand the technology, is not difficult. The main thing is to strictly follow the requirements and rules, check the quality of the cuttings in advance, and not engage in experiments that are dangerous for plants. If you do not make mistakes, you will certainly be able to grow a tree that in just 2-3 years will please the owners with a bountiful harvest of sweet fruits.