What rootstock is used for avocado grafting? How to graft avocado trees?

1. Rootstock Selection

Avocado is a deciduous tree of the genus Persea in the Lauraceae family, and grafting it generally uses only its own rootstock. There are three common strains of this plant: Mexican, West Indian, and Guatemalan. Among them, the Mexican series is slightly more cold-resistant, while the other two are weaker. Therefore, the Mexican series is often used as rootstock, and the other two are used as scion. Generally, when the plant grows to 50 cm in height and the thickness of the stem reaches 0.8 in, it can be used as a rootstock.

2. Grafting method

1. Bud grafting: The operation of bud grafting is more complicated. Choose an annual branch with axillary buds. The fullness of the axillary buds determines its growth. Make a cut 0.5 cm below the bud, and also make cuts 0.5 cm on both sides. Cut off the bark with the bud from the top, remove the wood, and make a shield shape. Make a T-shaped cut in the rootstock, open it, insert the scion into it, and tie it with plastic tape.

2. Cleft grafting: Cleft grafting requires cutting a mature branch, which is generally smaller in thickness than the rootstock. The base of the branch is cut into a wedge shape, the rootstock is split in the middle, and the base of the scion is inserted on top. Tie it up with plastic tape and wrap it on the outside to prevent moisture from entering the joint, causing infection and affecting its survival.

3. Grafting: The method of grafting is similar to cleft grafting, but the treatment of scion and rootstock is different. The bottom of the scion needs to be cut into a bevel, and the rootstock needs to be opened from one side, the bark is cut open, and the wood is exposed. Fit the bottom of the scion onto the wood of the rootstock and tie the two together.