Skip to Content

How to Graft an Orange Tree – A Step-by-Step Guide!

Sharing is caring!

Are you wandering in search of a guide that tells you how to graft an orange tree in a step-by-step manner? Well, you just came across the right one!

Orange is one of the most favorite fruits people like to eat; it protects your cells from damage and boosts your immune system.

But what about its propagation?

Vegetative propagation of citrus fruits, including oranges, is almost impossible. We can only propagate specific varieties of citrus fruits by cuttings—while others can’t be propagated using this method—thus, leaving us with growing citrus fruits from the seeds.

But there is also a negative point in growing from the seeds, as it is that when an orange tree is allowed to grow from the seed, we cannot understand how the plant will behave in fruit production.

Considering that reason, we follow the grafting method to ensure that the baby plant will have the same growth pattern as that of the already-grown plants.

Today in this post, we will discuss how to graft an orange tree. So, without wasting any further time, let us begin!

Grafting orange tree—how to graft an orange tree
How to graft an orange tree? – Image via Reddit.

How to Graft an Orange Tree?

Grafting is the best method for propagating orange trees as it is extremely easy and provides a reasonable success rate.

In grafting, the most common and successful method we use to propagate orange trees is a budding method known as T-budding (you can also use this method for other citrus fruits as well).

T-budding can be used for grafting oranges, usually when the rootstock is actively growing.

Let us discuss the detailed stepwise procedure of T-budding.

Related article: How to Graft a Mango Tree

Step-by-Step Guide to Grafting

Rather than moving towards the detailed grafting procedure, it is better to know some ins and outs of the process, like what’s the best time for grafting oranges, where to start, etc.

Before grafting, you must ensure that the budwood has enough time to fuse with the rootstock.

Grafting should be done during late winter or early spring—after severe cold weather has passed and before the hot weather arrives.

Now it is time to move toward the grafting procedure. Here is the step-by-step approach for grafting orange trees.

1. Sterilization

To maximize the possibility of the graft’s life and to prevent the spread of any disease, it is essential to sterilize the grafting tools and choose a clean place to do the whole procedure.

2. Healthy Tree

Find and select the tree you want to replicate. Try to choose a tree that is healthy and thriving.

3. Removal of Leaves and Stings

Remove all the leaves and stings from the plant, so the branch doesn’t lose water during transpiration.

Now scan for a round bud on the clear stem.

4. Making the Cut

Make a horizontal cut above the target bud with a sharp blade as deep as it hits the wood. Remember not to cut the wood as there is no need for it.

Now mark a vertical cut from one side of the horizontal cutting, making the shape of T.

Slide the blade gently under the budwood to separate it from the wood. It is better to use the bark lifter for this purpose  

Note: While removing the bud or bark area from the rootstock, ensure that your skin does not come in contact with them.

5. Remove the Bud

Note the dimensions of the square and remove the bud slicing from the already grown plant in an analogous way.

6. Insert the Bud

Pick the bud with the knife, as it is better to avoid touching the cut surface, as any sort of contamination can cause the bud graft to fail.

Insert the bud under the flap of the T cut created into the rootstock.

The scion should fix in the lower space, which should hold it in place.

7. Wrapping of the Bud

Now wrap the graft site tightly with vinyl grafting tape, start from the bottom and wrap upward, leaving no patches uncovered.

The grafting tape locks the moisture inside the bud, so it does not dry out.

8. Unwrapping the Bud

Move the tree to the shady area for a three-week healing period; at the end of the healing period, unwrap the graft, and you will see that both bud and the rootstock will still be green in color, which is an indication of success.

9. Allowing Bud to Grow by Apical Dominance

The grafted bud does not tend to grow because of the apical dominance. Natural plant hormones from the buds limit the growth of the grafted bud.

Apical bud dominance can be broken by cutting the rootstock above the bud and pushing the top over the rootstock.

After the apical dominance has been overcome, the bottom bud will begin to grow.

How to graft an orange tree? Check this video to see the easy methods of grafting citrus fruits—YouTube.

That is all for this post!

Now it is time to move toward the conclusion.


Conclusion

How to graft an orange tree, you said? I hope you understand all the steps.

An orange tree cannot be propagated by vegetative propagation; also, growing an orange tree from the seed is not a clever idea. Thus, we prefer the grafting method for the propagation of the orange tree.

What you need to do is to create a T shape cut on the rootstock and put the bud in it.

Wrap the area tightly and put it in a shady area for three weeks. After that, remove the wrapping and see whether both parts are green. If they are still green, then it is a sign of success.

I hope you find this post helpful. If you liked this post, do not forget to share it with your friends.

Regards,
Moiz Atiq.