
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PLANTING HISHTIL GRAFTED SEEDLINGS
Land and soil preparation
- In windy season or windy area, wind brakes should be considered, to avoid breakage and other damages
- Ensure that the soil is well drained, aerated and loose to a depth of 60 cm
- Ensure that the land area is cleared from weeds
- Plastic mulch – if used, plastic cover must be tight on the ridge. Avoid any contact between the plastic mulch and the plant stem.
Planting
- Seedlings should be planted on the same day of delivery
- Always keep the seedling’s root zone wet, during planting
- Avoid planting in dry soil. Pre-irrigate according to the field and environmental requirements
- Planting holes – prepare the holes before planting
- Avoid deep planting. Depth of the hole shouldn’t be 1 cm more than the plug height
- While planting and covering the plug, keep the grafting zone above the soil. It will prevent the scion from bypassing the rootstock
- Planting should be done carefully with a straight plug
- Tighten the soil around the plug to avoid any air pockets around the root zone
- Irrigate as soon as possible after planting
Irrigation and fertilisation
- Avoid over irrigation during the establishment period
- Adjust the fertigation program to the development of the plant
- In watermelons and melons, it is important to avoid any application of phosphate in the first four weeks
Point of attention
- In grafted plants – rootstock might develop a growth point, under the grafting cut, (within the first 3 weeks). Consult with us how to remove it
- Chlorosis (yellowing) of grafted plants will occur, if planted during cold time period (below 5°C) the original green color will develop in the younger shoots and leaves as soon as temperatures become more favourable
- In marginal cold climatic conditions, it would be advisable to use mulch or frost protection