The Planting Process

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Your Seedling

Once your planting holes have been dug and refilled with the rich topsoil-manure mix (as detailed in the first step of this section), follow these precise steps to plant your tree:

Re-dig a Small Core Hole: In the center of your settled, refilled hole, dig out a small opening that matches the exact size and depth of the seedling’s plastic nursery bag.
Water the Seedling Bag: Give the seedling a light watering a few hours before planting. Wet soil sticks together easily, which prevents the soil ball from shattering when you remove the plastic.
Remove the Plastic Bag Safely: Use a sharp razor blade or knife to gently slice down the side of the polythene bag. Carefully peel the plastic away without shaking or squeezing the soil ball. Never pull the tree out by its stem.
Inspect and Prune the Roots: Look at the bottom of the exposed soil ball. If you notice any thick roots coiled tightly at the very bottom (known as pot-bounding), gently straighten them out or use clean shears to trim them slightly. This encourages them to grow outward into the open field soil.
Position the Seedling: Lower the soil ball into the small hole. The top surface of the seedling’s soil ball must sit perfectly level with the surrounding ground field.

The Golden Rule: Protect the Graft Union Depth

Look closely at your seedling’s stem. Locate the V-shaped healed joint where the sweet Pixie scion meets the tough rootstock. This is your graft union.

    CORRECT PLANTING               INCORRECT PLANTING (FATAL!)
    
       |   |                          |   |
  ====( Graft Union )==== 5-10cm      |   |
       |   |     |  above ground =====( Graft Union )===== Buried in mud!
  _____|___|_____v_____               |___|_______________
 /  Soil Surface       \             /   Soil Surface     \
 |    [Rootstock]      |             |    [Scion Roots]   |  <-- Scion rots
 |     [Roots]         |             |     [Roots]        |      or loses
 |_____________________|             |____________________|      resistance

CRITICAL WARNING: You must ensure that the graft union sits at least 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) ABOVE the final ground level.

If you bury the graft union under the soil:

The sweet scion stem will develop its own roots into the ground, completely bypassing the disease-resistant rootstock. Your tree will instantly lose its protection against devastating soil fungi.
Moisture from the soil will cause the graft joint to rot, killing the tree within its first two years.

Firming the Soil and Creating the Water Basin

Once the seedling is positioned correctly, fill in the spaces around the sides with loose topsoil. Use your hands or boots to gently firm the soil around the base of the plant. This removes large underground air pockets that can dry out the roots. Do not stomp down with extreme force, as you can crush the roots.

Immediately build a wide, shallow circular mud wall (a water basin) around the base of the tree, about 60 cm in diameter. This basin acts as a dish that catches and holds water right over the root zone, preventing it from wasting away into the surrounding field. Water the newly planted tree heavily with at least 15 to 20 liters of water right away to help settle the soil.

Key Takeaways to Keep in Mind

Keep the Graft Union High: Always position the graft joint 5-10 cm above the ground line to prevent rot and loss of rootstock benefits.
Slice the Bag, Don’t Pull: Always cut the plastic bag open with a blade to keep the root ball perfectly intact.
Water Immediately: Pour 15-20 liters of water into a newly formed basin right after planting to eliminate dry air pockets around the roots.