Part 5: Propagation by grafting and layering
2. Propagation by grafting
Grafting is a technique in which a rootstock and a scion are bonded (grafted) together and grow together to form a single plant.
Rootstock = a plant, usually grown from seed, which has desirable attributes such as being dwarf in form (for example, to make a dwarf fruit tree so that the fruit can be picked without a ladder). The plant contributes its roots and main stem to the graft
Scion = a section of plant, for example a bud or a stem, cut from a plant with desirable attributes such as flavourful fruit. This section is grafted onto the rootstock.
By carrying out this method, a new plant can be produced that has the attributes of both the rootstock plant and the scion plant.
Do internet searches for ‘grafted trees’ and ‘grafted plants’ to see the great selection of grafted plants available. Try to work out why some of them have been grafted, for example a weeping scion onto a tall straight rootstock or fruit or flower interest.
Do a YouTube search for ‘Sam Van Aken grafting’ and watch some of the videos. Sam has grafted 40 different fruits onto a single tree!