Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Budding Citrus Trees
Budding Citrus Trees
Wrap the entire area with tape or rubber band strips be-
ing careful to not leave any area of the bud exposed (Figure If the bud remains alive, but no shoots appear, then the bud
8). The bark flaps will be held tightly against the bud by the must be forced artificially. Three methods are common. The
rubber strips or tape. This will allow the bud to remain best method is to make a shallow horizontal cut in the bark
moist and will allow for contact between the cells of the about ½-inch above the inserted bud. This should favor shoot
bud and rootstock that must occur for the bud to survive. growth from the bud at the expense of competing shoots. An
Remove the tape or rubber strips 2 to 3 weeks after bud- alternative is to bend the rootstock just above the inserted
ding. If the scion bud is green it is alive. If not, try again. bud. If neither of these two methods works, the rootstock
branch should be cut off about 1 inch above the living bud.
A Little Science…
Between the bark (periderm) and the wood of trees, lies a layer of
cells called the vascular cambium. From this layer grows the wood,
or xylem to the inside and the phloem to the outside. Both xylem
and phloem are important tissues that conduct water, nutrients
and sugars. The cells that arise from the cambium can intermingle
and form connections if they are adjacent. The objective of budding
is to align the cambium layer of both rootstock and bud as closely
as possible. Thus, it is important that the bud is removed from the
budstick with a smooth cut, and the bud and rootstock be tightly
pressed together.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona College of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and
other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to sex, religion, color, national origin, age, Vietnam era Veteran’s
status, or handicapping condition.
Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by
The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension • 3