How to Grow Grafted Guavas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Video Guide Don’t miss our video tutorial that covers the entire grafting and planting process, including tips for ensuring a high survival rate and optimal fruit production. Watch to gain practical insights on growing healthy grafted guava trees

Uganda Today Edition: How to Grow Grafted Guavas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Grafted guavas are a fantastic choice for any gardener aiming for higher yields, improved fruit quality, and resistance to common diseases. This guide will walk you through each step, from selecting the right scion and rootstock to planting and maintaining your grafted guava. We also have an accompanying video that provides a detailed visual demonstration of the process, ensuring you get the best results.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Scion and Rootstock

The success of grafting depends on selecting the best scion and rootstock for your needs:

1. Scion Selection: Choose a scion from a healthy guava tree that produces sweet, flavorful, and high-quality fruits.
2. Rootstock Selection: Use a robust, disease-resistant guava plant as the rootstock. The rootstock should be compatible with the scion to ensure proper growth.

Step 2: Preparing the Grafting Tools

You’ll need a few essential tools:

• A sharp, sterilized grafting knife.
• Grafting tape or biodegradable strips to bind the graft.
• A sterilizing solution to clean tools between cuts.

Step 3: The Grafting Process

1. Cutting the Rootstock: Make a clean horizontal cut on the rootstock and a small vertical slit about 2-3 inches deep.
2. Preparing the Scion: Shape the bottom of the scion into a wedge or V-shape to fit securely into the slit on the rootstock.
3. Inserting the Scion: Carefully insert the scion into the rootstock slit, ensuring the cambium layers of both are aligned to facilitate nutrient flow.
4. Binding the Graft: Secure the grafted area with grafting tape. This helps keep the scion stable while the tissues join together.

Step 4: Planting the Grafted Guava Seedling

1. Soil Preparation: Use well-drained, loamy soil with plenty of organic matter. Add compost to improve soil structure.
2. Digging the Hole: Create a hole that is twice the size of the root ball of your grafted seedling.
3. Planting: Position the seedling in the hole, ensuring the graft union is above ground level. Backfill with soil and gently press down.

Step 5: Watering and Mulching

After planting, water the seedling thoroughly. Use mulch to keep the soil moist, control weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep mulch away from the graft area to avoid rot.

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Step 6: Care and Maintenance

1. Watering: Water the plant regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid over-watering.
2. Pruning: Trim off any shoots growing below the graft union, as these will not produce the desired fruit. Remove dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth.
3. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the first growing season. Use organic compost to enrich the soil annually.
4. Pest and Disease Management: Watch for pests like guava fruit flies and diseases like anthracnose. Use organic or chemical controls as needed to maintain healthy growth.

Step 7: Harvesting Your Guavas

Grafted guavas typically start producing fruit within 2-3 years. Harvest when the fruits have fully matured and the color has changed to a rich yellow or green, depending on the variety.