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Grafting Trees is an art! I will make it so easy for you in this article, that you can start grafting trees today! I will also explain the benefits of grafting plants and grafting tools.
What is Grafting?
Grafting, also known as graftage, is a horticultural technique whereby tissues of plants are joined together so that they continue their growth together. The upper part of the combined plant is called the ‘scion’ while the lower part is called the ‘rootstock’.
Importance of Grafting
The grafting technique is most commonly used in the asexual propagation of commercially grown plants for the horticultural and agricultural business. In most cases, one plant is selected for its roots (rootstock), and the other for its stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits (scion). The scion contains the desired genes to be duplicated in future production by the stock/scion plant.
Scenarios for Grafting
Have you ever come across one of those ‘miracle’ trees, like an apple tree that produces six different kinds of apples, or a tree that grows plums, peaches, and other fruits all on the same stem? Or, you buy an orange tree that has the strong roots of one variety but the delicious fruit of another variety. These are examples of how grafting can combine the best features of two plants into one.
Concept of Grafting Trees
The Cambium Layer
You need to know a few parts of the plant. The outer layer of plants, known as bark, has a much more interesting layer of tissue just beneath called the cambium. The cambium is undifferentiated, meaning that the tissue in it doesn’t have any particular job yet. It can turn into anything the plant needs: more bark, new vascular tissue, new branches, even some roots. Grafting takes advantage of this undifferentiated tissue layer by exposing it and giving it an idea of what to do.
Example: Avocado Tree
One common example of grafting is used in avocado plants. If you’ve ever tried to grow an avocado tree from a seed, you know that the resulting tree isn’t very strong because the best fruit-producing avocado trees don’t have the best support systems. Thanks to grafting, it is now common practice to take the scion from one tree and graft it onto the rootstock of another, producing a new tree with strong roots and delicious fruit.
Various Grafting Methods (Types of Grafting)
Approach Grafting
In approach grafting, two fully formed plants are attached together at their stems, leaving the leaves above and the roots below intact without completely cutting anything on both plants. A small part on the side of each stem is stripped of bark, and the newly exposed tissue is pressed together and tied to allow the tissue to heal over.
T Budding
T budding is a technique where the scion is reduced to a single bud instead of a whole branch. The bud is removed from its original plant along with a small portion of bark and underlying tissue. It is then nestled into a cut made into the rootstock’s stem and tied in place. After the graft has healed, the stem of the rootstock above the newly grafted bud is removed, and the bud will grow.
Cleft Grafting
Cleft grafting is one of the most common techniques and yields strong grafts. A split or cleft is made in the rootstock, which is wedged open. The scion is stripped of its bark at one end, and the stripped end is sliced into a sharp angle. This angled scion is then placed into the rootstock cleft and bound until the graft heals.
Factors for Successful Graft
Compatibility of Scion and Stock
Because grafting involves the joining of vascular tissues between the scion and rootstock, plants lacking vascular cambium cannot be grafted. As a general rule, the closer two plants are genetically, the more likely the graft union will be successful.
Cambium Alignment & Pressure
The vascular cambium of the scion and stock should be tightly pressed together and oriented in the direction of normal growth. Proper alignment and pressure encourage the tissues to join quickly, allowing nutrients and water to transfer from the rootstock to the scion.
Proper Care of Graft Site
After grafting, it is important to nurse the grafted plant back to health for a period of time. Various grafting tapes and waxes are used to protect the scion and stock from excessive water loss. Depending on the type of graft, twine or string is used to add structural support to the grafting site. Sometimes it is necessary to prune the site, as the rootstock may produce shoots that inhibit the growth of the scion.
Grafting Tools
Grafting Knives or Cutting Tools
These need to be sharp to minimize tissue damage and clean to avoid the spread of disease. A good knife for general grafting should have a blade and handle length of about 3 inches and 4 inches, respectively.
Graft Seals
These keep the grafting site hydrated. Good seals should be tight enough to retain moisture while loose enough to accommodate plant growth. This includes specialized types of clays, waxes, petroleum jelly, and adhesive tapes.
Other Tools
Tying and support materials are essential for grafting.
Grafting Machines
For automation, grafting machines are useful as grafting can take a lot of time and skill.
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Well, there’s a lot more about Grafting. We will not go into the depth. Also Watch this Video Below showing various grafting methods to understand better.
