Grafting cucumber seedlings onto black-seed pumpkin rootstock is a widely practiced technique in overwintering cucumber cultivation. This method not only enhances the plant’s resistance to diseases but also improves its ability to absorb nutrients and withstand cold temperatures. As a result, improving the survival rate of grafted cucumber plants has become a critical factor in successful production. The success of grafting depends on several factors, and farmers should pay close attention to the following key points.
First, selecting a rootstock with strong compatibility with cucumbers is essential. Black-seed pumpkins are commonly used due to their good grafting affinity. It's important to time the sowing correctly—cucumbers should be planted about five days earlier than the rootstock to ensure they grow at a similar pace.
Second, choose a grafting technique that you are familiar with. Common methods include cleft grafting and splice grafting. Cucumber seedlings should be around 7–10 cm tall, with a 1–1.5 cm shoot length. The pumpkin’s cotyledons should be flat, and the heart leaves just emerging, making them ideal for grafting. Grafting should be done in a greenhouse, where the temperature is kept between 25°C and 28°C, and air humidity remains above 95%. If temperatures rise too high, shading materials can be used to cool down the environment.
Third, always keep the blade clean during the process to avoid infections from cuts. Fourth, handle the seedlings carefully to prevent damage that could lead to necrosis.
Fifth, maintaining proper environmental conditions after grafting is crucial. Temperature and humidity are the main factors affecting the healing process. After grafting, the temperature should be maintained at 25–30°C during the day and 18–20°C at night for the first three days, then gradually reduced to 25–27°C during the day and 14–16°C at night. Once the roots begin to form, increase the daytime temperature to 28–32°C and nighttime to 8–16°C for 3–5 days before transplanting. Finally, maintain a daytime temperature of 20–23°C and nighttime of 10–12°C.
After planting, avoid ventilation for the first few days, keeping the air humidity at 100%. If the temperature becomes too high, use shade covers to reduce heat. After three days, gradually introduce ventilation and lower the humidity to 70–80%. Over time, reduce the temperature further and acclimate the seedlings to normal conditions.
Lastly, it's important to wait until the graft site has fully healed before cutting off the rootstock. This ensures the grafted plant has enough time to establish itself and increases the chances of long-term survival.
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