(continued)
The choice of the rootstock depends largely upon being resistant to nematodes and gummosis disease, which is a serious problem in the Caribbean.
Rootstock plants are raised from seeds and it takes approximately one to two years before they can be used, while the shoot is taken from a plant which is referred to as the scion. Generally, for citrus, lemon is the choice of rootstock. Lime, orange and tangerine’ shoots from mature trees would then be used to do the grafting. The grafted shoot is then held firmly in place with budding tape where the union is formed.
In Guyana, mostly citrus trees, avocados and some mangoes are grafted and can bear within three years.
Please remember to remove all leaves from the rootstock just below the bud union as it is
