Camellia Cutting Graft

The International Camellia Society
[ TOPICS

] [ Cutting Graft ]

The Cutting Graft

As most camellia enthusiasts and indeed plant growers in general know, there are several methods of raising plant material.

Seed raising is probably the cheapest and easiest for both nurseryman and hobbyist. However, in relation to camellias, it is a chancy business. Only self pollinated wild form species seeds come true to type, and in relation to camellia sasanqua, reticulata, japonica and others, they are unlikely to come true to their parents, and only an extremely small percentage produce a flower that is worth naming and introducing.

The easiest and surest propagating method for nurserymen in relation to camellias is by taking cuttings in the summer. This has the benefit of enabling a plant to be produced that is true to its parent. There are exceptions of course, especially in relation to cuttings taken from varieties that are prone to sport, and a cutting taken from a branch that has not flowered may produce a plant that is not true to its parent. E.g. a 'Betty Sheffield Supreme' cutting may turn out to be any one of the large number of varieties within the 'Betty Sheffield' family. As well as this disadvantage there are several others, the chief one being that several camellia japonicas and particularly reticulata are difficult to grow on their own roots. Nevertheless, the cutting method of propagating is the one most frequently used by nurserymen for its convenience and economy.

To overcome the problem presented by camellias that do not grow well on their own roots, and to speed the introduction of new varieties, grafting is used. This requires a seedling or more frequently a cutting-grown plant to be raised for a number of years, usually three to five, and then it is cut down to within three or four inches of the ground and a scion of required variety grafted onto it. After a further year or more, usually two, the required variety produces flowers.

This latter method is time consuming, expensive and of course fraught with risks in that the graft success rate is frequently no higher than 70 per cent.

We are fortunate at this time to be witness to the unveiling of a propagating method which may revolutionise camellia raising.

This technique, known as the Cutting Graft has been practised by Steve Clark of Camellia Grove Nursery over the last three years.

This method will give best results in summer.

The first requirement is a camellia growing vigorously, that has made stout shoots on the top of the bush. We find C. sasanqua 'Kanjiro' the most satisfactory. These top shoots are removed and prepared much as a cutting would be: about 13cm (5in) long with two or three leaves.

Asingle sloping cut is made into the stem 1.5cm (½ in) long, usually about 4cm (1½in) up from the base. This is near where the wood is thickest and the possibility of cutting right through is minimised. This I will call the understock.

Next, the scion of the desired variety is prepared by cutting to approximately 8cm (3in) in length with two leaves at the top and the base is shaped into a wedge about 1.5cm (½in) long. (Figs 1 and 2) (Note by K.P.: Figures will be added later, since originals are bleached out).

The scion is inserted into the cut in the understock and then tied at this point. (Figs 3, 4 and 5)

Now if the scion and the understock are exactly the same diameter there is no problem at all, but in most cases they will not be. So line up the cambium layer on one side only and overlap or underlap the other side as required. In the case of the scion being grossly oversized then trim down one side to approximately understock size and proceed as before.

For best results tie with an elastic band - packing tape will do and is quicker

Place the newly prepared cutting into sand and peat or whatever cutting medium is normally used. Aim to insert to a depth that will cover the union by 2.5cm (1in).

Treat as for a cutting until roots have emerged from the base of the understock. By this time the callusing of the stock to the scion should have taken place (Fig 6).

When the cutting graft is removed from the growing medium, roots may also have emerged at, or near, the union - simply cut these off. The next step is to cut off the portion of understock above the union as close to the union as possible (Figs 7 and 8).

Now simply treat as a cutting and pot up.

The Advantages to Commercial Growers

There is no need to grow understock (usually sasanqua) for four years and then cut it down.
There is no need to keep the plant for a further year, or two years before releasing it for sale.
The success rate with camellia reticulata grafts is only approximately 65 per cent and therefore the cutting graft eliminates the 35 per cent loss of five-year-old plants.
The cutting graft is more time-consuming than ordinary cuttings but not as time consuming as traditional grafting.
The cutting graft plant can be offered for sale after three years compared with at least five for the traditional graft.
The cutting graft is almost as big as the traditional graft when released
Whereas the traditional graft rarely has flowers when it is released as a first year graft, the cutting graft usually has several flowers so the purchaser can actually see what he is getting
The cutting graft is at least as reliable as the traditional graft, but if it is unsuccessful the loss is not that of a plant that has been grown five years.
Finally, and most importantly for both the purchaser and the nurseryman, the cost is lower

The Advantages to Camellia Society Members

We can have the advantage of traditional grafting in the winter, and the cutting graft in summer.
There is no need to have seedling plants or other understock growing for four to five years. All we need is a healthy sasanqua, preferably C. sasanqua 'Kanjiro' from which we can take cuttings.
The cutting graft technique is easier than the traditional grafting because there is no critical matching of cambium layers.
It is easier to 'cutting graft' small camellia species because the camellia sasanqua understock in the cutting graft is narrower than the understock in cleft grafting and the delicate scion does not risk being squashed.
Finally, there is the excitement and, at first, the novelty of 'giving it a try'.

The Background - The Technique- The Advantages
Steve Clark
NSW Foundation Branch, Australia

[ Home ] [ TOP ]