Grafting - including how to prepare whip and rind grafting
Grafting is an asexual form of propagation, similar to budding, which has the aim of taking the top part of one plant and uniting it with the lower part of a second plant so that they grow together as one and produce a new specimen.
Some plants are known to graft on their own naturally, as their roots or branches intertwine and these include the rubber plant and fig tree. The cactus is one of the easiest plants to propagate through grafting.
Some plants are known to graft on their own naturally, as their roots or branches intertwine and these include the rubber plant and fig tree. The cactus is one of the easiest plants to propagate through grafting.
This type of propagation is generally carried out on trees and shrubs that do not grow well on their own roots or which cannot be propagated through other methods such as with plant cuttings or through layering.
By taking separate sections of two different trees or plants and uniting them, a stronger, healthier, more uniform specimen is produced.
Grafting must be carried out quickly and efficiently for the best results using clean tools, to prevent contamination.
Grafting differs to budding in two ways. Firstly, grafting is carried out in late winter or early spring, generally in March or April, when the tree or plant is still dormant. If grafting is carried out when the plants are in active growth, it will not work, as the graft would become submerged in sap and suffocate.
In second place, where budding only uses a single bud in the process, with grafting, you can use a twig containing several buds, a section of stem, a terminal shoot or even a piece of root.
The top part of the plant that you wish to propagate is called the scion and the bottom part of the plant that provides the healthy and sturdy root system is called the stock or rootstock.
There are many types of grafting, a form of propagation that has been around for thousands of years, and they include whip, rind, saddle, approach, splice and bridge grafting.
The most common and easiest type of grafting for the novice gardener is whip and tongue grafting, whilst cleft, side and bridge grafting are methods used by gardeners with slightly more skill and knowledge.
Grafting is often the method of propagation used for citrus trees, particularly oranges, which often do not produce seeds.
Some varieties do not reproduce well from their own roots, are prone to disease or suffer in cold or drought. It is common to join two varieties of the same species, one that roots well and is resistant, with the top plant of the species that you want to propagate.
For grafting to take place successfully, several factors must be present:
By taking separate sections of two different trees or plants and uniting them, a stronger, healthier, more uniform specimen is produced.
Grafting must be carried out quickly and efficiently for the best results using clean tools, to prevent contamination.
Grafting differs to budding in two ways. Firstly, grafting is carried out in late winter or early spring, generally in March or April, when the tree or plant is still dormant. If grafting is carried out when the plants are in active growth, it will not work, as the graft would become submerged in sap and suffocate.
In second place, where budding only uses a single bud in the process, with grafting, you can use a twig containing several buds, a section of stem, a terminal shoot or even a piece of root.
The top part of the plant that you wish to propagate is called the scion and the bottom part of the plant that provides the healthy and sturdy root system is called the stock or rootstock.
There are many types of grafting, a form of propagation that has been around for thousands of years, and they include whip, rind, saddle, approach, splice and bridge grafting.
The most common and easiest type of grafting for the novice gardener is whip and tongue grafting, whilst cleft, side and bridge grafting are methods used by gardeners with slightly more skill and knowledge.
Grafting is often the method of propagation used for citrus trees, particularly oranges, which often do not produce seeds.
Some varieties do not reproduce well from their own roots, are prone to disease or suffer in cold or drought. It is common to join two varieties of the same species, one that roots well and is resistant, with the top plant of the species that you want to propagate.
For grafting to take place successfully, several factors must be present:
- The two plants or trees must be related, as closely as possible for the best results
- The plants must be dormant
- The cambiam layers of both species must join
- The scion and stock should be of similar thickness but not in all types of grafting
- The union must be protected
Whip or tongue grafting
This is the most common form of grafting. Take a scion or young shoot, approximately 3 - 4 inches long and make a cut on the bottom half on one side only in the form of a tongue or V. Cut a reverse V at the top of the rootstock, which should be of a similar or same diameter, and slot the two grafts together, ensuring that the cambiam layers are in close contact. Bind with raffia or tape and seal the whole area with grafting wax.
Rind or crown grafting
In this method, the scion is much smaller in diameter than the rootstock. Make a vertical slit in the stock with a sharp, clean knife, where the scion is to be inserted.
Take a shoot with several buds and make a slanted cut at its base and simply slot it snugly into position, ensuring that the cut surface of the scion is touching the exposed wood of the rootstock. Bind the grafts together, securing them into position and smoother with grafting wax. This can be performed several times around the rootstock so that scions produce a number of new branches.
Take a shoot with several buds and make a slanted cut at its base and simply slot it snugly into position, ensuring that the cut surface of the scion is touching the exposed wood of the rootstock. Bind the grafts together, securing them into position and smoother with grafting wax. This can be performed several times around the rootstock so that scions produce a number of new branches.
