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CARE AND
MAINTENANCE OF CLONED (ASEXUAL) SEEDLINGS
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Asexually
propagated seedlings have two parts. The lower portion
is the rootstock usually of native varieties from seeds.
Native rootstock is used for fast root development and
resistance to pests and diseases as well as it is
adopted to local condition. The upper portion is the
scion or cultivars.
All shoots
that grow below the point of union (graft) must be
removed. Side shoots arising from the rootstock can be
easily noticed since it has longer shoots and broader
leaves as compared to the scion.
The growth
of side shoots from the rootstock can be easily
prevented by disbudding the primary or protruding bud on
the trunk from the point of union downward. Use a
grafting knife or any sharp knife to completely remove
the bud which contains the primary, secondary and
tertiary bud. If removed by hand, the remaining
secondary and tertiary buds will grow again because
there is still secondary or tertiary bud left. When the
wound is big, paint it with a mixture of latex and 10%
fungicide for immediate healing. This process of
disbudding can be done right at the nursery or before
the seedlings are planted in the field.
Formation of Low Crown
Having a low
crown is important for easy maintenance such as
spraying, pruning and harvesting. For he tree to have
low crown, all the growing points (primary bud) must be
pinched to induce secondary buds, thus producing many
lateral branches.
Fruit trees
that were not pinched will have few branches and tall
crown.
Why do we need to pinch the
primary buds or shoots?
The growth
hormones manufactured by the leaves are apical dominance
which means that only the growing tip or primary bud is
supplied with growth hormone for elongation. It can be
observed in forest trees planted with closer distance
that only a single shoot grow to form a straight log
because the growth hormone only supply the primary
shoots.
To develop a
low crown in fruit trees, always pinch the growing point
or primary bud. After pinching or removing the primary
bud, the growth hormone then supplies the two secondary
buds. To induce more secondary bud to sprout and to have
more lateral, spray it with growth hormone enhancer
after pinching so more secondary bud will sprout (up to
9 shoots instead of 2).
When all the
shoots hardened or when leaves become green, pinch all
primary buds again to induce the sprouting of more
secondary buds. Spray it once more with growth enhancer
to induce more secondary buds to sprout and form
laterals.
Bending Laterals
If during
the early stage of growth the laterals grew long without
small branches, bend all the laterals in opposite
directions perpendicular to the ground using weight or
tie it to a stick to make it in the position
permanently. All the bud in the upper level along the
laterals will now sprout, giving the tree more laterals.
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