GRAFTING CAMELLIAS

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 6

GRAFTING CAMELLIAS

Considerable interest is always taken in the art of grafting, and although it is mostly considered in relation with fruit trees by the home gardeners, the method can also be applied to camellias. Any variety or species of camellia can be propagated by grafting, but only the reticulatas really require the application of this method. It is the only way in which

varieties of this species can be increased. The rootstock most commonly used is Camellia japonica which can be raised from seed or cuttings. The resulting plants should be established in containers and encouraged to produce a good root system. The plants will be ready for grafting when their stems are the thickness of a pencil. Grafting is carried out in August and is best done in a glasshouse. The scion—the wood of the variety to be propagated—should be selected from shoots produced in the previous season, preferably without buds, which should otherwise be <emoved. It is preferable that the scion wood be used immediately after it has been taken from the parent plant. If this cannot be done it should be held in damp, but not wet, moss until required. Do not stand in water. A sharp pair of secateurs and a sharp knife or razor are required. The stock should be cut back to Bin and split down the centre to a depth of IL in to 2in. Next remove the terminal bud from the scion

and cut it off below the fourth node. Now from the base, make a flat, sloping cut about Tin to Hin in length on one side; turn it over and make a second similar cut on the opposite side so that a narrow wedge is formed at the base of the scion. Each cut must be perfectly flat without undulation.

It may need several attempts to achieve this degree of perfection and may entail some practice on similar material until proficiency is acquired as success or failure can hinge on satisfactory contact between stock and scion. This form of graft is

known as a wedge, or cleft, graft Open up the cut on the stock with the tip of the knife and carefully slide the wedge in. Match up the cambiums —the cambium is found between the bark and the wood—then bind the two firmly together using tape, cotton, rafla, budding rubbers or even thread. Cover the grafted plant with a large jar or plastic bag and keep it out of the sun.

The graft should take after six to eight weeks. This can be detected by bud movement on the scion. The jar or bag can then be removed.