First, the use of fast-growing rootstock, such as the West House jellyfish, is essential because it exhibits strong resistance to cold, drought, waterlogging, salt, and alkali. It also has good compatibility with apple grafts, promotes rapid root development, and supports quick seedling growth. This makes it ideal for achieving summer grafting effectively.
Second, timing the seedling period properly is crucial. Autumn sowing should be done immediately after planting, while spring sowing needs to be done earlier. This approach ensures early emergence and faster growth, extending the growing period and allowing for grafting and seedling development within the same year.
Third, protective measures in early spring are necessary to shield young plants from cold and maintain moisture. Common practices include using wind barriers, hotbeds, plastic film coverage, and mulch. These methods help create a favorable environment for seedlings before transplanting them into the grafting field. While this technique allows for earlier sowing, transplantation should wait until after the last frost. If not, additional protection is needed. In practice, double-layered films are often used, though this increases costs.
Fourth, early pruning and grafting are important. When the rootstock reaches about 30 cm in height, the central shoot can be removed to encourage robust growth. Once the base diameter reaches 0.5 to 0.6 cm, grafting can be performed by the end of June. This ensures that grafted seedlings have sufficient time to grow and develop.
Fifth, high budding techniques should be applied carefully. Instead of cutting immediately after budding, leave 1 to 2 cm above the bud on the rootstock to prevent breakage. Encourage the bud to germinate and grow until it has 5 to 6 true leaves before cutting the rootstock again. Additionally, leaving 5 to 7 functional leaves below the bud helps supply necessary nutrients, and the rootstock should be cut only after the bud has fully developed.
Lastly, proper fertilization and irrigation management are key. Choose fertile land for nurseries and apply ample base fertilizer. Before grafting, apply 10 to 15 kg of urea per acre along with watering. After grafting, apply 8 to 10 kg of urea per acre. In early August and September, apply 8 to 10 kg of compound fertilizer per acre each time. Foliar spraying should be done every 15 days—using 300 times diluted urea in the early stage and 300 times diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate later. This comprehensive approach ensures healthy growth and successful grafting outcomes.
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