What method should be used to propagate peach seedlings?

In the process of peach tree planting, it is very important to do a good job in breeding peach seedlings. Only by cultivating high-quality seedlings can we effectively ensure that the newly built peach orchard can achieve the goal of high and stable yields. So what method should be used to propagate peach seedlings? Let’s learn more about it below.

What method should be used to propagate peach seedlings?

The main method of breeding peach seedlings is grafting (it can also be propagated by sowing, cuttings and layering), and the breeding rootstocks are mostly wild peach or peach seedlings (original rootstocks). The principle is to use some wild fruit trees with strong adaptability on the mountains and graft them into high-quality large-fruit fruit trees. This may improve adaptability and disease resistance while growing healthy fruits.

Key points for grafting and breeding peach seedlings

1. Scion selection

According to market demand, we choose varieties such as Yellow Peach 83, 19, 5, Nectarine Zhongyou 16, 18, 19, 48, Commercial Sweet Peach Golden Honey 1 and Splendid Yellow Peach. First, use one-year-old branches with full growth, full branches and buds, and no diseases and insect pests as scion.

2. Grafting time

In mid-May, grafting begins when the rootstock seedlings reach 50-70cm in height and 0.4-0.6cm in thickness.

3. Grafting method

You can use chip bud grafting, and cut the bark about 3 to 4 centimeters above the ground when grafting. Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied to the seedlings once a week before grafting. Do not cut the rootstock after grafting. Wait until the grafting is successful about 10 days later, and then break the rootstock about 3 cm above the grafting bud.

4. Management after grafting

(1) Fertilizer and water management: When the grafted buds grow to 15-20 cm, apply the first fertilizer , mainly nitrogen, 10 kg per mu, in small amounts and multiple times. In the future, depending on weather conditions, apply fertilizer and water every 7-10 days.

(2) Remove and pinch off shoots: Shoots start to appear on the rootstock about 10 days after grafting. If they are not removed in time, the growth of the scion after survival will be seriously affected. After that, when the height of the grafted seedlings reaches more than 1.2m, pinch off the top to promote the maturity of new shoots and improve cold resistance.

(3) Pest and disease prevention: Grafted branches are green and easily attacked by pests such as borers, caterpillars, and caterpillars. You can use 20 grams of 20% sulfadiazine emulsion diluted with 50 kilograms of water to spray them. At the same time, use lime sulfur mixture made of 1 part quicklime, 2 parts sulfur, and 10 parts water, and evenly apply it on the rootstock to prevent the invasion of pathogens.

In general, the main method of peach seedling propagation is grafting. Through grafting, many effects can be achieved, such as reproduction and seedling raising, early fruiting, improved varieties, increased resistance, and enhanced tree vigor. It is also very obvious in improving the planting efficiency of peach orchards.