Best method for grafting Rambutan?

13 years ago

I am new to all types of grafting so I need some advice.

I have a rambutan seedling that was growing out of control. I dug it up and killed about 90% of it's roots (not by choice but necessity) and topped it to about 4 ft tall. It has 2 trunks- one is about 1.5 inches wide, the other about 1 inch. Amazingly, it is doing fine in a pot and sending up new growth.

So now I want to graft some of my R162 onto it. The R162 is in flower now, but I can take some branches that haven't flowered or wait until a better time.

Any hints? Best method to use? Timing? Size of scion?

Featured Answer

ohiojay

13 years ago

You have the best circumstances you could ask for. You have a plant in a container which can be moved and you have a plant that is known to flower near by. I would do an approach graft... a lot lower down than 4'. This is the easiest and safest grafting method. If the graft should fail, this method will leave both plants alive so you can try later. You'll need to secure the seedling plant in a manner so that the scion will easily reach and match up with the trunk. You will need to decide which trunk to eventually keep and which to sacrifice. In fact, I would remove one of them just prior to you grafting...will help direct all the energy into the remaining trunk. For an approach graft, you should theorectically be able to use any size scion you want. Just make sure the two pieces match up nicely without having to over tie to close a gap. Take some pics and good luck!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

rayandgwenn
Original Author
13 years ago
OK- I think I will try it.
I found Brian Brunner's info on it, and approach grafting looks like it "should" work.
I don't have the heart to chop either trunk yet...so I will try it with the 2 trunks, and do both, but one at a time.
I will post pictures of my experience.
Wish me luck!
Related Professionals
Citrus Heights Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Belmont Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Norton Shores Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Middletown Landscape Contractors · Edmond Landscape Contractors · Burlington Landscape Contractors · Farmington Landscape Contractors · Fort Hunt Landscape Contractors · Hickory Hills Landscape Contractors · Kahului Landscape Contractors · Pleasant Grove Landscape Contractors · Weslaco Landscape Contractors · West Haverstraw Landscape Contractors · West Orange Landscape Contractors · Forest Hill Landscape Contractors
rayandgwenn
Original Author
13 years ago
Ok- I did it:
The seedling tree is in the pot on the right.

{{gwi:1318059}}
I picked the straightest branch of the grafted tree to hopefully get the tightest match of the 2 stems.

{{gwi:1318060}}

{{gwi:1318061}}

{{gwi:1318062}}

{{gwi:1318063}}
jsvand5
13 years ago
Good luck. Hope it works for you. I would maybe stake the tree to the ground. It looks like a strong gust of wind could knock it down pretty easily the way it is now. I had that happen with a jackfruit graft last year and it snapped off and ruined my graft just a few weeks before I think it would have been ready to seperate.
rayandgwenn
Original Author
13 years ago
Yes- my thought exactly! When we moved the seedling closer to the graft tree, we added 2"x4" stakes in the ground around the pot, to keep it in place,and then tied the pot to the stakes. Hopefully, it is not going to go anywhere!
mango_kush
13 years ago
wow i hope it takes.

i can see the cambium layer, from what i understand if its lined up good it should take nicely.
hmhausman
13 years ago
Looks good.....I am betting on success. Good luck, and of course, keep us posted.

Harry
rayandgwenn
Original Author
13 years ago
Well....Success!
The first try did not take as I did not cut down deep enough. So I redid it and it worked! It is not beautiful and I assume it is not very strong yet but it is now a grafted tree! Next time I will graft much younger/thinner branches.

This one is the close-up of the graft ...

{{gwi:1318064}}

this one is a wider shot showing the tree ...

{{gwi:1318065}}
jsvand5
13 years ago
How long has it been separated?
ohiojay
13 years ago
Great job! Keep us posted on the progress.
rayandgwenn
Original Author
13 years ago
Jsvand- it has been totally separated about a week now.
So far, so good.
jacob13
13 years ago
Wow,

That is incredible. Looks like you did a Great job. Good luck with that one.

- Jacob
jsvand5
13 years ago
I am wondering if it might be a good idea to tie a stake above and below the graft to keep some pressure off of the actual graft until it heals totally? I don't know what the winds are like in your yard, but I have lost grafts on citrus before from wind snapping them at the union.
red_sea_me
13 years ago
Great job grafting and documenting, it looks like it has started to heal nicely, maybe some blooms this year?

-Ethan
rayandgwenn
Original Author
13 years ago
Jsvand-
That is why I kept the one tie on. But you are right, I may add another tie to the bottom of the graft foe a while, just for safe keeping.