Grafting involves attaching a preferred scion which develops into canopy to well grown root stock which develops into the base. Grafted seedling mature early with high quality yields.
Always graft before the rainy season for sap to join scion and root stock. Carefully transport scions to avoid damage. Mangoes are rich in vitamins and source of income.
Growing root stock
Select undamaged fruit and remove flesh with hand, fill potting bag with fertile soil for proper seed growth. The seed is then placed with pointed side facing up for proper germination also properly place the bags and water for proper growth. After germination select only healthy seedlings and place bags in soil at proper space for easy grafting.
The grafting procedure
Select scion and root stock with desirable characteristics such as resistance to diseases, high yielding, short growth period with smooth buds. Cut suitable shoot of 20cm from which scions of 10cm are obtained.
For wedge grafting cut scion and root stock of 8 months that fit into each other, join and wrap with thin wrapper. For side grafting root stock of 1 year is cut and fitted onto a scion both with a slanting pattern and gently joined with a thin wrapper. Also cut off small branches to reduce nutrient uptake. Once leaves turn green plants are ready for market.
