Growth features of grafted plants of Juniperus Chinensis‘Blaauw’

Abstract

Juniperus chinensis‘Blaauw’ is difficult to propagate by rooting stem cuttings why the aim of the research was assessing the possibility of obtaining the progeny of this cultivar by grafting. Experiments conducted in 2012 on grafting with various methods of the cultivar on 2-year-old Juniperus virginiana‘Grey Owl’ seedlings of rooted cuttings origin have made it possible to achieve a survival rate of about 80 %, however, the final conclusions on the success of transplantation can be made only on the basis of further long-term observations of grafted plants. It is shown that the plants of the Juniperus chinensis ‘Blaauw’, grafted by veneer side grafting, are more viable than the plants grafted by side grafting. During the observation period 2012–2018 years in the latter case, 75 % of the grafted seedlings died, and only 38.5 % of the veneer side grafted plants fell out. Grafted seedlings are characterized by more powerful growth in comparison with seedlings of rooted cuttings origin. The annual increment of the first is 2–2.5 times higher, which is explained by the influence of the stock. The site of grafting becomes difficult to discern over time, which indicates a good compatibility of grafted components and a suitable way of carrying it out. Thus, veneer side grafting is a promising way to multiply the hard-to-root Juniperus chinensis‘Blaauw’.