Nowadays, grafting is commonly used in the cultivation of cucumbers, not only to enhance plant resistance to diseases but also to significantly increase yield. So, when is the best timing for grafting cucumbers? Let's find out.
Best Timing for Grafting Cucumbers
The best time for grafting cucumbers is when they are 11-15 days old, with cotyledons fully expanded and the first true leaf reaching approximately 2 centimeters in length. Typically, pumpkin roots are used to replace cucumber roots because pumpkin roots grow vigorously, withstand high and low temperatures, and are less susceptible to soil-borne diseases, resulting in robust growth of grafted cucumber plants.
How to Graft Cucumbers?
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Grafting Procedure: Hold the rootstock hypocotyl between your thumb and forefinger, remove the growing point and axillary buds with a knife or grafting blade, then use a grafting tool to make a 30-45° angle cut on the top surface of the stem just above the base of the first cotyledon, and insert the scion from below the other cotyledon at a depth of about 5 millimeters, aligning the two cut surfaces of the rootstock and scion, forming a cross-shaped intersection between the cucumber cotyledon and the pumpkin cotyledon.
Grafting Management
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Temperature and Humidity Control: Maintain the temperature around 25°C after grafting to promote wound healing. Keep the air humidity in the seedbed at about 90%.
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Shading: Within 3 days after grafting, when the temperature is too high and the sunlight is too intense at noon, use shade nets or grass curtains to shade and cool down to prevent wilting due to water loss from the scion.
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Disease Prevention: Grafted seedlings are susceptible to diseases due to high temperatures and humidity. Therefore, after grafting, timely spray with 75% carbendazim fungicide.
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Ventilation: Ventilation should start 3-5 days after grafting, gradually increasing the size of the ventilation opening and duration of ventilation, with full ventilation possible after 9-10 days.
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Decapitation and Root Pruning: Decapitation involves removing sprouting buds because they can affect wound healing and scion growth. About 10-11 days after grafting, root pruning can be done to prevent false rooting of grafted seedlings.
In summary, there are many points to consider when grafting cucumbers, and the specific grafting operation varies depending on the grafting method. However, regardless of the method used, proper post-grafting management is essential.
