Tbudding

Tbudding, commonly written as T-budding or shield budding, is a grafting technique used in horticulture to propagate fruit trees and other woody plants. In this method, a single bud with a small shield-shaped piece of bark is taken from a scion and inserted under the bark flap of a rootstock, aligning the cambium layers to form a graft union.

The process involves making a vertical slit in the rootstock bark with a short horizontal cut at the top to create a T-shaped opening. A shield-shaped bud with a thin slice of bark is cut from the desired cultivar. The bark flaps are gently lifted, the bud shield slipped under, and cambial layers aligned. The flaps are pressed back and the bud is secured with budding tape or a similar wrapping. The completed bud union is kept moist and protected until the bud begins to grow, after which the wrapping is removed gradually.

Timing and conditions: T-budding is typically performed when the rootstock bark slips easily, usually in warm, humid spring conditions, though the exact timing depends on species and climate. The technique is popular for citrus and various deciduous fruit trees.

Advantages and limitations: It is a relatively fast and efficient method requiring minimal scion wood; it preserves the rootstock’s vigor and is well suited for small scions. Limitations include a narrow success window, the need for careful cambial alignment, and a dependency on adequate moisture and protection from drying and pests.

Species and uses: Widely used for citrus, as well as apples, pears, peaches, plums, and other fruit trees, particularly when only a limited amount of scion wood is available. It is also used in some ornamental plants.