My parents have a few grapefruit trees in their back yard and they want to Graft three kinds of oranges and lemons on them. What's the best time of the year to do it? (In Israel).
The best time for Grafting Citrus trees is when the tree wakes up from the hibernation and returns to its full activity, in Israel it is usually during April May.
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Effi is right. The best time to graft is when you start seeing the new buds for branches swelling and starting to push. I don't know if your parents are familiar with grafting techniques and it has been some time since I have done them myself but I will do my best to explain in detail. It is easier to understand if I where able to draw it while explaining the technique. You will want to graft two or three of each to insure that at least one will attach and grow. You will need a very sharp smooth edged knife and some paper tape. First, on the tree you want to graft onto pick a branch that is maybe an inch in diameter and find a node that is starting to push a bud/branch out. A node kind of looks like a fingernail and you should see the new branch beginning to come out. You need to make an incision lengthwise about an inch long over the top of the node. You will want to make an incision at the top and bottom of the first incision so that you can open the incision without tearing it. Take the knife and gently insert under both edges of the incision so that the bark is lifted up from the branch. Do not remove the bark you just want a space to tuck the new graft in. Next you will need to remove the bud you are wanting to graft. Do the same thing in finding a branch similiar in size and locating a node. Take the knife and starting about a half inch above the node slice down and under it thus removing the node. Do not let the incision for the graft or the node to be grafted dry out. Insert the node into the incision by lifting the edges and placing under with the bud exposed. Be sure that the bud is placed in the right direction as it would normally be growing. You may want to mist the incision with water to give it a little moisture. Push down the edges of the incision almost back together holding the node in place and wrap with paper tape leaving the bud exposed. You will know in two to three weeks if the graft has taken hold. It will either turn brown and die or you will see the it still green and starting to branch out. Wait a little while before removing the tape making sure the incision has healed so that it will not be susceptible to pests or disease.
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