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Copyright 2005, Board of Trustees, University
of Florida
PROPAGATION OF BUNCH GRAPES IN FLORIDA
Grafting Bunch Grapes
J. A. Mortensen and C. F. Balerdi
Watermelon and Grape Investigations Laboratory
Although several methods of grafting or budding are possible, the
cleft graft on 1-year old rootstock is recommended. The grafting
can be done in the nursery or in the vineyard location.
Grafting preferably should be done about February 1 in Central
Florida. The rootstock should be cut off with a saw or sharp shears
at a smooth place between nodes about two inches above ground level.
The stump, if small, should be split with a sharp knife; larger
stumps may be split with a grafting tool or chisel.
The budwood for scions should be chosen from the healthiest, pencil-
diameter cuttings available. A graft scion should be 5 to 8 inches
long and have 2 or more buds, with a slant cut about 1" above the
top bud. The portion of the scion to be inserted in the cleft
should be cut carefully to a long, tapering wedge, preferably
slightly thicker on one side. The wedge cut should be started on
both sides just below the basal bud. The scion should be inserted
carefully and pushed down well into the cleft so that the cambium
on its thicker edge and that of the stump coincide. The pressure
of a large stump may hold a scion securely; small stumps should be
tied firmly with raffia or soft string that will rot away after a
few weeks.
Grafts should be covered with soil to prevent drying of the scion.
To protect the soil cover from erosion by wind and rain, a cylinder
of tar paper (10-12" diameter, 7" high) may be placed over the graft
and filled with clean, moist soil up to the top bud of the scion.
During dry periods watering as often as twice a week may be necessary.
The grafted vine should be trained to a single shoot on a stake
attached to the trellis wire. The tar paper should be removed after
scion growth exceeds 15 inches up the stake.
Mimeo Report WGL 68-2, December 20, 1968 HUME LIBRARY
JUL 24 1972
I.F.A.S. Univ. of Florida
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