Golden twigs are highly valued for their excellent shading ability and ornamental appeal. They are a popular choice in greenery, often grafted onto the roots of Chinese wolfberry for commercial production. The grafting process involves careful selection of rootstocks and appropriate techniques to ensure successful growth and aesthetic results.
When choosing rootstocks, it's common to use either one-year-old shoots with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 cm or multi-year seedlings with a diameter of 3 to 5 cm. However, different grafting methods are required depending on the type of rootstock used. Golden twigs grow quickly, but they tend to develop a "big head and small feet" appearance at the grafting site, which can affect the overall structure.
Using perennial seedlings as rootstocks and applying high branching techniques can speed up the formation of the plant and reduce the time needed before it can be moved out of the nursery. However, when multiple scions are grafted onto the same cross-section, the branches may not spread widely, leading to a narrow angle and potential neck issues. This can weaken the grafting site, making it more vulnerable to wind damage. Additionally, such plants may have limited flexibility in renewal and rejuvenation, and their trunk and branch colors may not be uniform.
On the other hand, using annual seedlings as rootstocks and performing budding 10 cm above the root neck offers better color uniformity before the main bark becomes fully corked. This method also provides stronger wind resistance and greater flexibility in shaping, updating, and rejuvenating the plant. However, if the root and neck area of the rootstock is buried underground during transplanting, it can negatively impact both the plant’s appearance and its growth, potentially causing solidification. Therefore, from a long-term perspective, budding with annual rootstocks is generally more advantageous.
The timing of grafting is crucial and depends on several factors: the size and quality of the seedlings, the production schedule, the phenological stage of local rootstocks and scion buds, and the need to avoid adverse weather conditions. For example, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, grafting is typically done in March and April when buds are full and beginning to germinate. At this time, bottom buds can be used once a year, and scions with active xylem should be harvested and stored properly.
Unused scions should be kept in a cool, well-ventilated place, wrapped in moist sand for future use. From late May to July, sap flow is strong, making it ideal for the "T" shape budding method, also known as the "hot sticky skin" technique. Budding done in August may not have enough time to develop before winter, so it might need to overwinter and be cut back the following spring before bud break. Branching can be carried out from late March to early May, but it's essential to prepare and store scions in advance. If stored too long, the scion’s vitality may decrease.
No matter the method used, the scion must be healthy, vigorous, and free from pests and diseases. Grafting should be avoided during rainy periods to prevent water from entering the graft site, which could reduce survival rates. Proper timing and attention to detail are key to achieving successful grafting and a visually appealing result.
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