Cane collection commenced at leaf fall and they were collected three more times at 15-day intervals. Morphological changes were determined from the transverse internodal cuts and included: width of pith, xylem, phloem plus bark tissues, ratios of cane width/pith, cane width/bark + phloem, xylem/pith and xylem/bark + phloem, and cane water content. Findings showed that lignification was best 30 and 45 days after leaf fall for 140 Ru and 15, 30 and 45 days after leaf fall for 5 BB.
Canes collected in 2005–2006 were used to relate the changes observed in the previous 2 years with the vegetative development. Two-bud cuttings were grown in pots and viable plant and rooting ratios, root fresh weight, shoot number and length, and node number were determined. Data obtained were found in agreement with the morphological findings. A 140 Ru had the best vegetative growth 30 and 45 days after leaf fall, and 5 BB grew well at each collection period.
Results showed that it is best not to collect canes from rootstock nurseries at or right after leaf fall due to poor lignification and subsequent poor growth.