How to graft a columnar apple tree and what you can do: in a split and behind the bark with photos and videos

Table Of Contents

What does it mean to graft an apple tree?
What can columnar varieties be grafted onto?
Common vaccination methods
Helpful tips

With good care from 1 acre of a garden planted with columnar apple trees, from 1 to 2 tons of apples are harvested. Many summer residents have questions about how to plant a columnar apple tree, what material to use for a stock (dwarf, semi-dwarf). The yield of the future apple tree, resistance to diseases, low temperatures, and drought depend on the stock.

What does it mean to graft an apple tree?

Vaccination is one of the breeding methods. It is used to cross plants of the same or different species. Basic terms a beginner gardener should know:

graft;
rootstock;
budding;
copulation.

A graft is a bud or stalk of that apple tree, the fruits and characteristics of which the gardener liked. Rootstock - a plant on which the desired variety will be grafted. Budding - grafting with a kidney, copulation - with a cutting.

What can columnar varieties be grafted onto?

There is a wild game in every garden. The question immediately arises: is it possible to plant a favorite variety of a columnar apple tree on it. Experienced gardeners do not recommend grafting a column onto a scion of an ordinary game. This can be done, but there is a high percentage of vaccine rejection, and with a positive result, the characteristics of the seedling are worse than the varietal ones:

shorter life expectancy;
productivity is lower.

Quality seedlings are obtained by using two types of rootstock. In the southern regions, the super-dwarf rootstock of the Paradizka Belorusskaya apple tree is used. In areas with cold winters, Malysh Budagovsky (76-6-6) performs well. As a rootstock, you can use a seedling of a varietal apple tree growing in the area.

Common vaccination methods

At the age of 15, the columnar apple tree ceases to bear fruit. In order not to reduce the productivity of the apple orchard, new seedlings are planted, which are obtained by grafting. Techniques a beginner gardener should learn:

split;
for the bark.

Split

This method is the easiest and shortest in time. The quality of the rootstock has little effect on the survival rate. If the compatibility of the crossed crops is low, a build-up may form in the grafting area. Over time (2-3 years), the influx will disappear.

It is easier to work with material of small diameter. In this case, all operations are carried out using a sharply sharpened garden knife. The best time for vaccination is from April 15 to May 31. Cuttings (L=35 cm) are harvested at the beginning of winter, stored in the basement, refrigerator, under the snow. When harvesting, the lower edge of the handle is cut at an acute angle (the resulting cut in length should be 3 diameters of the handle), the top is cut into a kidney.

At the stock, the trunk is cut with a pruner (knife) at a height of 15 cm. Cut at a slight angle. The split is done exactly in the center. Its depth should be 4 seedling diameters. On the handle leave from 3 to 4 buds. The bottom is cut with a knife in the form of a wedge (L=4 diameters of the scion), the top is cut with a pruner.

When combining the rootstock and scion, the cambium is combined. Entering the wedge into the split from above, a narrow strip of scion is left without bark. The place of operation is wrapped with a strip of film, fixed with electrical tape. The upper cut of the cutting is covered with a layer of garden pitch.

For the bark

Apple trees are grafted over the bark in spring, when the bark begins to easily separate from the wood layer. Cuttings are taken from the middle of the shoot. The bottom is cut with an oblique cut, its length should be 3-4 cm, and the surface should be perfectly flat. The top is shortened immediately above the 3rd kidney.

The stock is first cut (cut) at the desired height, then the bark is cut 3-4 cm, gently pushed aside and the lower part of the cutting is inserted. Its cut must completely enter the cut. Tape or tape for vaccinations tighten the vaccination site.

Helpful tips

Natalia: “I propagate columnar apple trees without grafting. Early in the spring I take a branch with a diameter of the index finger. In its lower part, in a circle, I remove the bark to a height of 5 mm. I moisten a piece of cotton wool with heteroauxin and tie it to a branch for a day.I germinate the roots in peat, pour it into a small black bag, put a branch in it. I keep the peat moist. Roots appear in autumn. I take root every 2nd seedling.”

Alex: “I planted Currency on the Antonovka seed stock. I prepared the cuttings in November, took shoots of the 1st order, stored them in the sand. The seedling turned out to be successful, it is already bearing fruit.”