Citrus > Citrus General Discussion

Grafting in the heat

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Walt:
Here in Kansas daily temperatures have been around 100F or 38C.  40C has been reached a couple of times this last week.  This is normal temperature here and I expect more of the same for another month, maybe more.  I would like to make some grafts onto 3 Ponciris in 5 gallon pots.  The Ponciris have been in their pots for nearly a year and are in good health.  I could move them into the house if the heat is too much.  But I don't like moving plants in and out unless it is necessary.  Partly because of the weight but mainly because changing climate like that seems to slow growth for a while.  I am thinking that if I graft this time of year a cleft graft would be best.  But I'm new to citrus grafting and I want advice from more experienced people.

growinginphoenix:
I'm no expert. My understanding is that protecting the graft from the sun with aluminum foil is the important part when grafting citrus in the heat. I'm under the impression that foil works better than paper bags. As long as the temperatures are below 85F at some point during the day (or night) grafting should be possible.

sc4001992:
Walt, I don't have your heat problem in SoCal, maybe 95F is the normal hot summer for me.

But I like to use the brown paper bag method, never used aluminum foil as protective cover. My thinking of why I don't use AL foil is this, the AL will get hot like a frying pan, if it is touching your scion, it will transfer heat to it much more than a brown paper bag.. So I never use AL to cover any graft, only for air layer branches. I have been grafting for over 30 yrs, lots of citrus.

But the simplest thing for you to do for sun exposure is just move your pot into the shade. I have been grafting all summer long here, no issues, just makes the grafted scions grow out faster.

Yes, cleft graft is the easiest, works the best. I only use cleft grafts on everything I graft except for some weird fruit trees that have better success with side graft/veneer graft. For micro-graft it is easier to use side/inlay, etc but not cleft graft since the scion diameter could be 1/64".

Rob From Sydney:
If you keep your stocks outside, then keep them in a cooler position like the north side of your house. A spot near a window where cool temps from your house radiate out is even better. NEVER allow the soil to dry out or the graft will fail (or so I have heard). And make sure that you do a good job with the grafting tape to keep the graft humid.

Walt:
Thanks for the advice.  I'm going to try it.  I'll sure keep them out of the sun.  I stay out of the sun as much as possible.  But my citrus that are not recent grafts take full sun and dry wind and stay healthy.  Keeping the scions healthy is my only concern.
Walt

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