How to graft azalea

Belly grafting

Using Rhododendron pubescens as rootstock for grafting Rhododendron pubescens can achieve the goal of fast growth and early flowering.

Use 2-3 year old robust purple azalea or hairy white azalea as the rootstock, and make an oblique cut with a grafting knife at a smooth part 6-10 cm above the base of the rootstock (about 1 cm in length and 1/3 deep into the wood).

At the same time, choose vigorously growing one-year-old woody or semi-woody branches as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, and leave 3-4 top leaves.

Shorten each top leaf by 1/3 or 1/2, then cut the base of the scion into a wedge shape, embed it into the interface of the rootstock, align the cambium, and tie it securely with plastic film. Then cover the grafted part and scion with a plastic bag, tie the two ends tightly with thread, place it in a semi-shaded place, carry out daily maintenance and management, and do not apply fertilizer for the time being.

About 1 month later, new leaves can be seen growing on the scion through the plastic bag, indicating that the graft has survived. After 3-4 years of new leaves growing, choose a cloudy day to remove the plastic bag.

Pay attention to watering or spraying water on the ground, and cut off part of the branches of the azalea at the upper end of the interface. After keeping warm in winter, some scion will grow branches in the spring of the following year. At this time, all the rootstock branches are pruned away, and a valuable azalea tree is formed. If properly cared for, it will take root in early summer, bud in autumn, and bloom the following year.

Cleft grafting

In May, select 2-3 year old (older trees are also ok) hairy-leaved azalea such as Rhododendron pubescens and Rhododendron chinense as rootstocks. Select the strong top tender branches of the current year with vigorous growth on the mother plant, remove some leaves, cut off the top bud with a grafting knife or razor blade, and then make a straight cut in the middle of the woody part of the top of the branch, about 1.5 cm deep.

At the same time, choose the sturdy young branches of the famous annual species of Western azalea as scion, cut the base into a wedge shape of 1-1.5 cm, insert it into the split part of the young branch of the hairy azalea, align it with the cambium, and tie the joint tightly with a 0.2 mm wide thin plastic tape, put on a plastic bag, tie the opening, but leave a gap of one finger to allow it to breathe, then put it in a semi-shaded place and pay attention to maintenance.

About 2 months later, if the scion grows well and the leaves are shiny, it means that the scion is alive. At this time, you can remove the plastic bag and observe for 1-2 days. If the scion is found to be a little wilted, you still need to put on the plastic bag and remove it after a period of time. As long as you pay attention to maintenance, if you graft in May, new buds will sprout in the autumn of the same year. As for removing plastic bags and straps, this can be done in March or April of the following year.