How to Graft Camelias

Camellias grown from seed or cuttings can take up to 6 years to begin producing flowers. Grafting, on the other hand, will often produce a flowering shrub in 1-2 years. Grafting is the process of fusing the plant you wish to propagate onto the mature root stock of another. Stem grafting is a common method used for Camellias and with this method it is possible to graft several different colors of Camellia on a single root stock. You will find greater grafting success grafting to a portion of the root stock shrub that is no more than 1 ½ inches in diameter so that the bark layer is still relatively thin and easily cuts with a sharp knife. The best time to attempt a graft is in late winter or early spring just before new growth begins to appear. Follow these easy steps for stem grafting success:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Root Stock
• Cutting to propagate
• Sharp knife
• String or electrician's tape
• Grafting wax
• Opaque plastic grocery sack

1. Choose your root stock carefully. It should be vigorous, disease-free, and choose an area of the main trunk that is approximately 1 inch in diameter as a location for the graft.

2. Take your cutting from the Camellia you wish to propagate. The cutting, called a “scion” should be taken at the tip of mature, last season’s growth. Using a sharp knife or fine saw, take a cutting approximately 3 inches long with at least 3 leaves or buds along the stem. At the base of the cutting, make a triangular cut through the outer bark and just down to the light green colored cadmium layer. Don’t cut too deeply. Remove the bark. Soak the cutting in water while you prepare the root stock.

3. Make a t-shaped incision about 2 inches long on the trunk of the root stock chosen for grafting. Here, again, cut through the bark to the light green cadmium layer below. Gently pry the bark away from the cadmium layer on each side of the incision. This is where you will place your scion.

4. Insert the prepared scion into the vertical cut on the root stock so that the cadmium layers on both the scion and root stock are in firm contact.

5. Hold the graft in place by wrapping the joint with string or electrician’s tape until a callous has developed over the wound (several weeks). You may also wish to protect the graft with grafting wax or a pruning compound.

6. Covering the grafted area with a plastic cover will protect it from harsh weather and help to raise the humidity for optimum growth. An opaque grocery sack works well. Fit it loosely over the graft & secure it around the trunk of the root stock about 6 inches above and below the graft with tape. The plastic can be removed after several weeks when the wound is well calloused.

Tips & Warnings

• The graft should be firmly knit within 2 months and new growth should begin shortly thereafter. Grafts are tender and susceptible to damage from too much wind or sun. Provide a little shade for these tender shoots with a bit of burlap or cloth clipped to surrounding branches until the cutting is well established.
• It is vital that there be a tight contact at the cadmium layer between the root stock and the cutting since this is where the life blood of the plant flows.

[jmlarue]

on 8/12/2008 My pleasure. Wishing you much success.

[Feather]

on 8/7/2008 Awesome. I will be trying this out at the end of winter this year. Thanks for the tips!