The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 12 Autumn 2015 High res | Page 25

In the rose garden

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Next, we cut a slice of tissue from the
rooted rootstock cane; it should be
similar in size and shape to the chipbud cut from the bud-wood stem.
Then we match the the chip-bud onto
the rootstock, and bind them in place
using budding tape. This will exclude
water from the wound (potential
infection), and ensure that the tissue
of both cut surfaces remain in contact.
The chip-bud should ‘knit’ together
with the rootstock within about three
to four weeks, at which time you need
to rebind the tape to expose the scion
bud. Re-bind the tape, leaving the bud
open to provide support for the budunion, which has now formed between
the scion and rootstock. The bud will
start growing, and the budding tape
can be removed when the new shoot
is about 10cm long.
As the new scion shoot grows, it may
need support, using a small stake
until the new plant is strong enough
to do without. In order to channel
nutrients and energy into vegetative
growth, remove the first flowers soon
after they open, keeping as much leaf
on the plant during its establishment
growth phase as possible. It will take
three to four months to develop into a
rose plant robust enough for planting
in the garden.
The entire process is all about
facilitating the healing of wounded
plant tissue, whereby a chip-bud
severed from the scion variety is
joined to the rootstock.
Success is highly dependent on strict
hygiene to prevent infection, and
maintenance of an environment
which is conducive to the growth and
development of the new rose plant.

Select bud-wood of the scion

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Remove the leaves

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Remove the bud from the scion

8

Slice rootstock and chip
bud must be similar size

Cut a slice of tissue from rootstock

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Match the chip bud onto
the rootstock

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Rebind tape to expose the scion bud

Bind them in place using
budding tape

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Remove tape when shoot is 10cm
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