Potential for Grafting Evergreen Ilex: A Preliminary Investigation

摘要

On a visit to the Rutgers University Horticultural Farm Dr. Elwin Orton showed me some Ilex grafts using Hexxmeserveae cv., Blue Princess~(R) as an understock. This stirred up more than a bit of interest as I wanted to try grafting an experimental hybrid on to I. xmeserveae 'Blue Princess' as Dr. Orton had showed me. That combination was successful and allowed for further growing on the hybrid. Encouraged by those results this study was undertaken to see what possible graft combinations might work and were there differences in grafting to I. xmeserveae cv., 'Blue Princess'~(R) or I. 'Nellie R. Stevens'. This was further encouraged by comments from Mr. Jim Berry from Plant Development Services, Loxley, Alabama who suggested that both I. aquifolium and the "Blue Hollies" are poor performers in the Southeastern portions of the U.S.A. He thought a suitable rootstock might make those plants more available to the Southern nursery trade.