T-Budding Method
Materials
- Budsticks
- Budding knife
- Bark flaps
- Budding rubber
1. Cutting the first bud
2. Upward Cut
Cut the bud and a small sliver of the wood from the budstick using an upward slicing motion. Cut about 1/2 to 3/4 inch below the bud, deep enough so when the cut is finished, it should be 1/2 to 3/4 above the bud. A perpendicular cut from across the top of the cut will separate it from the bud stick.
3. Downward Cut
Make a downward cut for the second cut to remove the bud. Do not remove too much of the underlying wood.
4. T-Cut
Make a vertical cut on the stem. Make a t to form an inverted T bud.
5. Prepare for bud shield
Slip the bark from the stem to expose a pocket where the bud shield can be placed.
6. Insert bud shield
Slip the bud shield in between the bark flaps. Make sure it fits snuggly
7. Add budding rubber
Hold the bark flaps with a budding rubber. This must be removed 2-3 weeks after the union has healed. Afterwards, the upper part of the rootstock can be cut away for the bud to grow.