Grafting

Grafting Is the process of physically joining tow or more plants together.

How grafting works

• Grafting works by combining the cambial layers of both plants
• The cambium layer is a thin layer of cells found between the bark layer and inner wood layer of plants.
• The cambium layer is where all the action happens and will be your main focus for grafting.
• Both plants must be in the same family for example:
  • Apple to apple (malus)
  • Rose to rose (Rosa)
  • Peach, apricot, plum, cherry, almond, nectarina (Prunus)

Rootstock

• A rootstock is the base material you graft onto.
• A rootstock can be a:
  • Propagated branch
  • Seed grown plant
  • Well established tree
• Rootstocks impart characteristics into the plant grafted to it, characteristics like:
  • Cold hardiness
  • Disease resistance
  • Drought tolerance
  • Wet soils
  • Plant vigor
  • Plant size
  • Fruit size
  • Dose not affect fruit taste

Scion Wood

• The scion is the plant material you will be grafting to your rootstock.
• Chosen for the specific variety
• Multiple scions can be grafted to a selected rootstock or tree.
• Scions must be compatible with rootstock.

Collection scion wood

• Collect for dormant plants (late Jan. – early April)
• Summer bud grafting requires mid-late summer scion material.
• Collect from healthy disease-free plants.
• Collect branches from 1^st or 2^nd year growth (hardwood)
• ¼“ or pencil thickness is best
• Try to choose straight branches

Storing scion wood

• Store cutting in a cool dark place. Your refrigerator is a good spot to store them.
• Store cutting in a moist media like wood chips or paper towel.
• Do not let the scion sit in standing water!
• Scions can be stored in the fridge for quite a long time, sometimes up to a year.
• Use scions as soon as possible.
• For old scions, check scions for green under the bark before use.

 Best time to graft

• The best time to graft any deciduous tree is in the late winter/early spring (April-May) just as you start to see the trees bud swell.
• Some varieties bud out earlier than others.

Types of grafting

• The cleft graft is a strong easy to make graft with a high success rate.

Step1: preparing the scion

• Choose similar sized scion with 3 to 6 buds on it.
• Warp scion in grafting tape, parafilm or wax (optimal)

Step 2: making your cuts

• Cut the rootstock back to the location of the graft.
• Make splitting cut down the center of the rootstock approxtimaly1” down.
• Make two sloped cuts approximately 1//’ long on each side of scion creating a wedge shape. Try to make these cuts as smooth as possible.

Step3: Combining plant material

• Slide your scion gently into the split made in the rootstock.
• Line up the bark as close as possible.
• In some cases shifting the scion on an angle can work.

Step 4: Tying and sealing

• With your scion and rootstock lined up gently tie or wrap your graft union.
• Tie or wrap the graft union multiple times and progressively pull tighter to ensure good cambial contact.
• Zip ties can be used to provide extra support (optional)
• If your scion and graft union are not wrapped or sealed in wax then cover with plastic bag and tie to prevent the scion from drying out.

Whip and tongue graft

• The whip and tongue graft is slightly more difficult to make but is a very strong graft and works well for branches of different sizes.

Step 1: preparing the scion

• Choose a similar sized scion (if possible) with 3 to 6 buds on it.
• Wrap scion in grafting tape, parafilm or wax (optional)

Step2: making your cuts

• Cut the rootstock back to the location of the graft.
• Make a sloped cut down one side of the scion approximately 1” long
• Half way down your cut make another cut into the center of the wood about ¼- ½ ” this creates the “tongue”
• Make the same cuts to the rootstock.
• If the scion is smaller than the rootstock makes your cut offset to one edge of the rootstock, make the cut the same width as the cut on your scion.
• Try to make these cuts as smooth as possible.

Step 3: Combining plant material

• Slide the tongues under each other and firmly wedge them together.
• Line up the bark as close as possible.
• In some cases, shifting the scion on an angle can work.

Step 4: Tying and sealings

• With the scion and rootstock lined up gently tie or wrap your graft union.
• Tie or wrap the graft union multiple times and progressively pull together to ensure good cambial contact.
• Zip ties can be used to provide extra support (optional)
• If your scion and graft union are not wrapped or sealed in wax then cover with plastic bag and tie to prevent the scion from drying out.

Bud Grafting

• Bud grafting is a very simple and effective graft that uses very little material.
• Bud grafting can also be done in mid to late summer.

Step1: preparing the bud

• Choose a scion with dormant healthy buds (late winter grafting)
• Choose a bud from a healthy plant and remove the leaf (summer grafting)

Step 2: making your cut

• Start your cut just above your chosen bud and gently cut under the bud down the scion approximately 1” long.
• At the end of your cut make an angled cut into the wood just above the end of your first cut. This creates “tongue”
• Make the same cuts to the rootstock, try to remove a portion of bark the same size as the bud you are grafting on. You can choose any location of your rootstock.
• Try to make these cuts as smooth as possible.

Step 3: Combining plant material

• Slide the bud into the location of removed bark on your scion. Your tongue should hold the bud in place.
• Line up the bark as close as possible.
• In some cases, shifting the scion on an angle can work.

Step 4: tying and sealing

• With the bud lined up gently tie or wrap your graft union.
• Tie or wrap the graft union multiple times and progressively pull tighter to ensure good cambial contact.
• Zip ties can be used to provide extra support but be carful not to cover the bud with your zip tie (optional)
• If your scion and graft union are not wrapped or sealed in wax then cover with a plastic bag and tie tight to prevent the cion from drying out.

Step 5: Bud isolation

• (late winter bud graft) Once the bud has fully healed, it should start to push new growth. At this point cut the remaining portion of the rootstock above the grafted bud.
• (Summer bud grafting) Your graft is most likely going to heal but not grow. This is normal, the following spring before bud break, cut off the remaining portion of the rootstock above the grafted bud.
• Remove any competing growth below the grafted bud.

The healing process

• It can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks before you start to see any signs of success. Colder temperatures will slow the process down.
• Allow a successful graft to grow for at least 2-3 months before removing your grafting tape. Most tapes will deteriorate in their own.
• A graft that has failed will have no swelling buds and eventually will start to turn black. Remove the graft and try again.

Tools and equipment

Knives/Grafting tool

• Any knife can be used to make a graft just make sure its sharp.
• Special grafting knives can be found at local nurseries or online.
• Communally used are utility knives, these knives are nice because they have replaceable blades. Find a utility knife with a stable blade as possible.
• Grafting tools are also available made to cut a locking “U” shape in both your scion and rootstock eliminating the need for a knife.
• This tool can also be found at local nurseries or online

Tape and wax

• Grafting tape is similar to a cellophane marital that can be used to wrap and seal your scion and graft union.
• Another type of grafting tape is called “Parafilm” it is a waxy stretchy material that sticks to itself when stretched.
• Grafting wax is made to coat your scion and graft union.
• Bees wax can also be used
• These items can be found at some nurseries but mainly online.
• Be creative, many household items can be used or repurposed to seal up your scion and graft union.

Tying material

• As mentioned earlier zip ties are functional everywhere! They make a good secure hold on your graft union. Make sure to remove the zip tie after the graft has fully healed.
• String, rubber bands and many other household materials can be used to securely fasted your graft together.

Knife safety

• Always use sharp knife.
• Pull the scion away from you and hold the knife steady.
• Use your thumb as an anchor and pivot point.
• Don’t force the knife, use a slicing or rocking motion.
• Some wood tends to split while cutting.
• Metal, cut proof gloves can be worn to protect against accidents. They can be purchased from cooking supply stores or online.