Part 5: Propagation by grafting and layering
5. Budding
Budding = attaching a scion, in this case a bud (or node), that has been removed from a plant, to a rootstock which is cut to receive the bud.
This method is more straightforward to carry out than saddle or whip and tongue grafting. However, the small scion bud does not contain enough energy or water to support itself for long and so the graft needs to bond quickly, otherwise it will not be successful.
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Have a go at budding, being extremely careful not to cut yourself. You can learn the technique using any two twigs that are about the same thickness until you feel confident enough to have a go on a real rootstock and scion.
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Search YouTube for ‘budding grafting’ to see some videos of practiced professionals carrying out this technique.