To bud citrus, specifically using T-budding for top-working, prune the tree back and insert buds onto the remaining branches.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Preparation:
- Timing: Budding is typically done during periods of active growth when the bark is easily separated from the wood. Spring or early summer is often ideal.
- Scion Wood (Budwood): Select healthy, disease-free budwood from the desired citrus variety. Budwood should be mature and have well-developed buds. The best budwood is usually from the current or previous season's growth. Cut budwood in the morning when it's turgid. Keep it cool and moist until you are ready to use it.
- Rootstock: Choose a healthy citrus rootstock. The diameter of the rootstock branches where you'll be budding should be between 2-5 inches or smaller.
- Tools: You'll need a sharp budding knife, budding tape (or grafting tape), and pruning shears. Sterilize your tools to prevent the spread of diseases.
2. Preparing the Rootstock:
- Pruning: If top-working an existing tree, prune it back to leave a few select branches. These will become the main scaffold limbs for the new variety. The diameter of the selected branches should be suitable for T-budding.
- Cleaning: Clean the area on the rootstock where you'll be making the T-cut.
3. The T-Budding Process:
- Making the T-Cut: On the rootstock branch, make a T-shaped cut through the bark. The vertical cut should be about 1 inch long, and the horizontal cut should be about 1/3 inch long, forming a "T". Be careful not to cut too deeply into the wood.
- Opening the Bark Flaps: Gently lift the bark flaps created by the T-cut. Use the knife or a specialized budding tool to carefully separate the bark from the wood.
- Cutting the Bud: From the budwood, carefully slice a bud from the scion wood. The bud should include a small shield of bark (about 1 inch long) with the bud in the center. Remove a sliver of wood from behind the bud (this is optional, and is called "chip budding" if wood is left).
- Inserting the Bud: Insert the bud shield into the T-cut, sliding it down under the bark flaps. Make sure the bud is facing upwards.
- Wrapping: Wrap the bud union tightly with budding tape, starting below the T-cut and working your way up, covering the entire union except for the bud itself. This helps to hold the bud in place and prevent moisture loss.
4. Post-Budding Care:
- Monitoring: Check the bud union periodically for signs of growth. After a few weeks, the bud should start to swell and show signs of taking.
- Removing Tape: Once the bud has taken (typically after 3-4 weeks), carefully remove the budding tape. If the bud is still green and healthy, it's a good sign that the budding was successful.
- Encouraging Growth: Once the bud starts to grow, prune back the rootstock above the bud union to force the plant's energy into the new scion.
- Removing Suckers: Regularly remove any unwanted buds or sprouts that emerge from the rootstock below the bud union. This ensures that the desired scion bud receives all the nutrients.
By following these steps, you can successfully bud citrus trees and propagate your favorite varieties.
