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Is it worthwhile to deepen the grafting when planting a rose - a question that never ceases to be relevant. There are several opinions on this matter. One side says that it is impossible to deepen the graft, the other adheres to the exact opposite. At the same time, there is debate among the latter regarding the size of the recess.
Where is the rose graft located and what does it look like?
Grafting is the forced fusion of shoots. This is one of the vegetative methods of propagation. Only plants of similar genus can be grown. Roses - with roses, apple trees - with apple trees, and so on. As a result, the owner receives a daughter plant with parental qualities.
Grafting should be carried out in the spring, since during this period there is an active movement of plant juices
To better understand how the process works, you should know two terms:
- The rootstock is the crop to which the cutting is planned to be attached. This is the lower part of the plant.
- A scion is a crop that needs to be propagated. This is the top part of the plant.
For long-term storage, the upper and lower parts of the rose should be immersed in water.As an alternative, you can use damp moss.
The success of reproduction depends on the quality of the source material. If the rootstock is damaged or dried out, the scion will not be able to form. The principle also applies in the opposite case. When planting, the grafting site of the rose should be disinfected. Otherwise, the risk of infection will increase.
Is it necessary to bury rose grafting when planting?
David Austin Nursery advises to deepen the grafting by 10 cm, regardless of the region of growth. Peter Beale argues that this figure is too high. Therefore, he recommends deepening the grafting by 4 cm.
Other well-known originators, in particular Cordes, bury the grafting site at 6 cm. Paul Zimmerman talks about the enormous importance of deepening. Fine Gardening magazine and BBC 2 presenter Monty Don agree with him.
On the other hand, Alan Titchmarsh warns that rose grafting should not be deepened. He suggests leaving it level with the ground. The British Horticultural Society takes the same position. As an argument, the organization cites statistics on the risk of rose death.
It is impossible to bury the graft at a distance of more than 12 cm, as it may rot
Some gardeners say it depends on the nature of the climate. In the southern regions, the graft is left on the surface, in the northern regions it is buried in the ground. Others attribute the difference to soil type. So, in clay soil, the rose graft should be deepened by 2-3 cm, and in sandstone by 7-9 cm.
It seems that no one knows about roses better than rose breeders. However, even their opinions differ.
What happens if you don't bury it?
If you plant a grafted plant level with the ground, the cut site will soon be several centimeters higher. Due to rain, the soil is washed away and the roots become exposed. This increases the chance of root growth developing on the rootstock.
If the graft is not deepened, it may dry out.
If there is a serious “divergence”, the rose will not be able to gain a foothold in one position, dangling from side to side. Under such conditions, the crop will not form a strong root. Any wind can damage its structure.
What happens if you bury it
When the grafting is deepened, the rose will be protected from drafts, which is especially important when growing in Russia. That is, even if the graft is not buried, it should be covered with the soil in which it grows. This will help the rose cope with the coming cold.
In the case of a deep grafting, the plant will be fixed in one position without the risk of “jumping out”. Some varieties grow their roots above the cut area. In the future, they will be able to use both of them, which will have a good effect on the splendor of flowering.
When to leave the graft at ground level
It is not recommended to bury specific varieties of roses. They - for example, rose hips - have a creeping root system. Therefore, they quickly fill the territory, forming voluminous bushes.
How to plant a rose with grafting correctly
Before starting work, inspect the rootstock. If it is dry, soak it in water for several hours. Damaged areas are cut off. After this, they begin planting:
- Five eyes are left on each shoot and a hole is dug. Its size depends on the characteristics of the variety. Drainage is placed at the bottom, and the soil is updated with fresh fertilizers.
Usually the size of the hole is determined by the roots of the plant
- The bush is buried, while simultaneously observing the position of the roots. Hill up the seedling, creating a cushion up to 30 cm. Thanks to this, the roses will be protected from drying out.
When hilling, the chance of successful adaptation increases by 30%
- Watering is carried out. The grafted plant requires a lot of liquid, so for the first time prepare a bucket of warm water.
If the graft is buried too deeply, pests may eat it
If planting takes place in the fall, it is not untidy - it is left in the same form. In spring, the earthen cushion is removed and the roses are moistened.
Common mistakes
It's not just beginners who make mistakes. Even professionals do them. Therefore, the sooner the gardener finds out about them, the faster he will get rid of them.
Common mistakes include:
- Wrong choice of site. Most varieties love light, but have a negative attitude towards direct sunlight. A rose will not be able to bloom in the shade of a fence, building or under a tree trunk. When adjacent to tall crops, it will lack moisture and nutrients for normal growth.
- No trimming. Fading flowers should be removed so that plant sap does not reach them. Instead, energy will be spent on developing new buds. Non-flowering shoots can also be cut.
- Wrong time. Roses should be planted in the warm season. In late autumn and early spring they have weak immunity. It is not enough to adapt to stressful situations - precipitation, pests, diseases.
- Deficiency of moisture and nutrients. Watering must be done regularly. The same applies to fertilizing. Nitrogen is used in spring. You should not overdo it with the substance, as insects love it.During the budding period, potassium-phosphorus compounds are used.
Having eliminated these mistakes, you can confidently begin planting and caring for roses.
Conclusion
Whether or not to deepen the graft when planting a rose is the business of every gardener. This is a controversial issue with many aspects. And yet, the majority of Russian flower growers are inclined to the first. The soil protects the graft from drafts, which has a positive effect on the adaptation of the rose and further harmonious development.
