Homemade Nutrients for Budding

The Bud Graft

• Budding is one of the fastest ways to graft a plant. Techniques such as "T" budding will "take" as up to 100 percent of the time, in the right green-thumbed hands. Budding forms a stronger union than many other grafts, using significantly smaller cuts and less tissue. The stress upon the rootstock is thus reduced. Budding is the standard grafting technique for citrus fruits of all kinds.

Aftercare

• After budding, it may seem that the rootstock should be pampered and given additional nutrition. But the only thing a budded rootstock requires is water. If you're grafting buds prior to August 1, provide water at normal rates -- often fruit trees budded this time of year will break bud and begin to grow the same season. Water grafts made after August 1 for no more than three weeks following budding, except in times of drought. Check budding grafts often and remove the tape or rubber bands to prevent girdling. Remove any unwanted growth so the rootstock focuses its energy on healing.

Homemade Wrapping

• Some gardeners believe that wrapping buds in plastic wrap will help to encourage the graft to take. Polyethylene film holds in moisture, preventing buds from becoming too dry. Using clear plastic wrap that's been cut into strips, begin wrapping the graft below the bud and continue to spiral the material around until it is above the bud. Do not apply the plastic wrap so tightly that it stretches. If it does not seem secure enough, you can tie it with a piece of string.

Why Budding Fails

• Budding does not fail because of poor nutrition in the healing phase. But it can fail if either the bud donor or the rootstock is unhealthy. Feeding those plants with homemade fertilizers such as manure tea can help get them ready for the procedure. Another major cause of failure is the rootstock or bud becoming too dry before the bud graft is sealed. Be sure to work quickly and supply plenty of water during the plant's recovery.