By Umar Nsubuga
Alice Ssezi, an experienced avocado farmer, shares valuable tips on grafting Hass avocado seedlings to ensure healthy trees and better yields.
-Begin by selecting a healthy, disease-free rootstock. The rootstock should be about 8–12 months old and have a diameter of 6-10 mm, which is ideal for grafting. Ensure that the rootstock is strong and adapted to your local environment for better resistance to pests and diseases.
-The scion, which is the top part of the grafted seedling, should be a healthy branch from a mature Hass avocado tree known for producing high-quality fruit. The scion should be 3–4 months old, have well-developed buds, and be free from any visible defects.
-Grafting should be done during the warm season when the avocado trees are actively growing. This promotes faster healing and better success in the union between the rootstock and scion.
-Ensure that all grafting tools, including knives and pruning shears, are properly sterilized to avoid introducing diseases. A simple dip in a bleach solution can effectively sanitize tools.
-Cut the rootstock in a slanting position to expose the cambium layer, which is where the nutrients flow. Similarly, prepare the scion by cutting it at an angle to match the rootstock’s cut. The two pieces must fit together snugly to ensure the cambium layers make full contact.
-After joining the scion and rootstock, secure the grafted area with a rubber band or grafting tape. Seal the graft with grafting wax or tape to prevent moisture loss and contamination. This helps protect the graft while it heals.
-Once grafting is done, provide sufficient water to the seedling, but avoid overwatering. The grafted seedling should be placed in a shaded area to reduce stress. After a few weeks, the graft will heal, and new shoots will begin to grow.
-Regularly check the grafted seedling to ensure the graft union is healing properly and that no pests or diseases are affecting the plant. Remove any shoots or suckers that grow from below the graft to encourage the scion’s growth.
