Camellia is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Camellia family, but its flowering process is relatively slow, whether through cuttings or budding. It typically takes three to four years for a plant in a pot to develop fully. In recent years, the use of high-stock grafting with oil tea plants in southern regions has significantly improved survival rates, reaching over 90%. Once the grafted seedlings grow to about 50 cm in height, they can flower within two years. The grafting technique is outlined below:
1. **Rootstock Selection**: Camellia and Flos Sophora belong to the same family, which means they have strong compatibility. White-flowered oil tea plants are particularly suitable due to their strong adaptability, fast growth, and vigorous sprouting ability. Therefore, it's best to select a white-flowered oil tea plant that shows strong growth, is free from pests, and has many branches.
2. **Scion Selection**: Scions should be taken from healthy, fine clones on the upper and outer parts of the tree. For Camellia, choose branches that are robust, full of buds, have normal leaf color, and are free from pests and diseases. In spring, use one-year-old spring shoots, while in autumn, use either spring or summer shoots from the same year. Collect them early in the morning and place them in a container filled with water to prevent dehydration. Avoid using old, weak, or pest-infested branches.
3. **Grafting Time**: To maximize survival rates, grafting should be done during the rootstock’s active growth period when it has sufficient moisture and nutrients. This is generally between May and September, with the optimal time being June to July. At this stage, the temperature is ideal, and the scion is lignified, ensuring higher grafting success rates—often over 90%.
4. **Grafting Method**:
- **Cutting the Rootstock**: Choose 2–4 branches on each tea tree that are smooth, disease-free, and in different directions. Cut the rootstock at 40–80 cm above the ground, making sure not to tear the stem. After cutting, slightly trim the cut surface. Leave 2–3 branches for shade and vegetative growth, and remove the rest.
- **Preparing the Rootstock Cut**: Based on the size and length of the scion, make a single-sided cut on the rootstock, exposing the xylem. If multiple scions are used, make parallel cuts on both sides of the rootstock. Ensure the direction of the cut aligns with the future growth of the new shoots.
- **Preparing the Scion**: Place the cut scion on a wooden board. Hold the branch and make a 2 cm long cut just below the bud, angling inward toward the center of the scion. Make a second shallow cut on the opposite side at a 20–30 degree angle. Trim the tip 5 mm above the shoot to create a scion with one bud and one leaf. Keep the leaf partially open (about half to two-thirds).
- **Inserting the Scion**: Insert the cut end of the scion into the rootstock cut, aligning the bark layers. Ensure the scion is securely placed so that the bark of both parts adheres well.
- **Binding the Graft**: Use a 1–1.5 cm wide plastic tape to wrap the graft site from top to bottom, securing it tightly to prevent movement and keep the area moist.
5. **Post-Grafting Care**
- **Cleavage**: Check the healing progress 20–30 days after grafting. If the graft has healed well, gradually cut back the original rootstock by 1/2–2/3, leaving a small portion to continue supplying nutrients. Don’t remove the main trunk immediately, as the scion cannot absorb nutrients on its own. Once the scion starts growing, usually around day 70, the trunk can be removed.
- **Loosening the Tape**: When the scion begins to sprout, loosen the original binding tape. After about 20 days, carefully cut the tight bands to allow normal growth.
- **Removing Shoots**: The rootstock may produce many shoots, which need to be removed promptly to avoid competition with the scion. If left unchecked, these shoots can weaken the scion, leading to slow growth or yellowing leaves. Continue removing them until the scion becomes dominant.
- **Shaping**: Once the graft is successful, perform appropriate pruning to shape the Camellia tree according to desired growth patterns, using ropes or ties to guide the branches into the right direction.
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