Grafting is a horticultural technique that joins two plants into one. It involves inserting a shoot or twig (called a scion) from one plant into a wound on another plant (called a rootstock), so that their tissues can grow together and form a new plant . Grafting has many benefits for plant propagation and improvement. Some of the benefits are:
- It allows the combination of desirable traits from different plants, such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, fruit quality, etc.
- It enables the production of plants that are otherwise difficult or impossible to propagate by other methods, such as seeds or cuttings
- It reduces the time and cost of producing new plants, especially fruit trees, by using existing rootstocks that are already adapted to local soil and climate conditions
- It enhances the growth and yield of some plants by providing a stronger and more vigorous root system
Grafting is widely used in agriculture and horticulture to produce many kinds of fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, and even bonsai trees.
What is rootstock and why use it?
If you want to grow a fruit tree or a flowering shrub, you may have heard of grafting. Grafting is a technique that involves joining two plants together so that they grow as one. The part of the plant that produces the flowers and fruits is called the scion, and the part that provides the roots and supports the scion is called the rootstock.
Rootstocks can offer many benefits to grafted plants, such as:
- Improving disease resistance and pest tolerance
- Adapting to different soil types and climatic conditions
- Controlling the size and shape of the plant
- Enhancing fruit quality and yield
- Influencing flowering time and longevity
How to choose a rootstock?
Choosing a suitable rootstock for your plant depends on several factors, such as:
- The compatibility between the scion and the rootstock. They should belong to closely related plant species or genera. For example, apples can be grafted onto apple, pear or quince rootstocks.
- The desired characteristics of the grafted plant. You should consider what you want from your plant in terms of growth habit, vigor, productivity, hardiness, etc. For example, if you have limited space in your garden, you may want a dwarfing rootstock that reduces the size of your tree.
- The availability of rootstocks. You should check what kinds of rootstocks are available for your chosen scion in your local nurseries or online sources. You may also try growing your own rootstocks from seeds or cuttings.
Here are some examples of common rootstocks used for different types of plants:
- Apples: M27 (extremely dwarfing), M9 (dwarfing), M26 (semi-dwarfing), MM106 (semi-vigorous), MM111 (vigorous)
- Pears: Quince C (dwarfing), Quince A (semi-dwarfing), Pyrus communis (vigorous)
- Cherries: Gisela 5 (dwarfing), Colt (semi-vigorous), F12/1 (vigorous)
- Plums: Pixy (dwarfing), St Julien A (semi-vigorous), Brompton (vigorous)
- Roses: Rosa multiflora (disease resistant), Rosa canina (hardy), Rosa rugosa (suckering)
Where to source rootstock
Rootstock is the part of a plant that provides the root system for a grafted scion, which is the part that produces flowers and fruits. Rootstock can influence the size, vigor, disease resistance and fruit quality of the grafted plant. Therefore, choosing the right rootstock for your desired plant is an important decision.
There are different ways to source rootstock depending on your needs and preferences. Some of them are:
- Buying from a reputable nursery or supplier. This is the easiest and most convenient way to get high-quality rootstock that matches your scion and growing conditions. You can choose from a wide range of varieties and sizes, and get expert advice on how to care for your plants. However, this option may be more expensive than other methods, and you may have limited availability or choice depending on the season and demand.
- Growing your own rootstock from seeds or cuttings. This is a more economical and sustainable way to source rootstock, as you can use seeds or cuttings from plants that you already have or obtain from other growers. You can also select plants that are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, and customize your rootstock according to your preferences. However, this option requires more time, skill and space than buying ready-made rootstock, and you may face challenges such as germination failure, disease infection or genetic variation.
- Joining a grafting exchange or club. This is a social and educational way to source rootstock, as you can network with other grafters who share their knowledge and resources with each other. You can swap scions and rootstocks with other members, learn new techniques and tips on grafting, and discover new varieties of plants that you may not find elsewhere. However, this option may depend on the availability of such groups in your area, and you may have to follow certain rules or standards set by the group organizers.
Preparing the Rootstock for Grafting
Grafting is a technique that allows you to combine two plants of closely related species into one. The lower part of the grafted plant, which provides the roots, is called the rootstock. The upper part, which produces the flowers and fruits, is called the scion.
Choosing and preparing a suitable rootstock is an important step for successful grafting. The rootstock should be compatible with the scion, healthy, vigorous and free of diseases and pests. It should also have desirable characteristics such as drought tolerance, disease resistance or dwarfing effect.
Depending on the type of grafting you want to perform, you may need to prepare your rootstock differently. Here are some general tips to follow:
- Choose a rootstock that matches the size and growth habit of your scion. For example, if you want to graft a cherry scion onto a plum rootstock, make sure they have similar stem diameters and branching patterns.
- Cut off any branches or leaves from your rootstock that may interfere with the graft union. Leave some buds below the graft point in case the graft fails and you need to regraft later.
- Make a clean cut on your rootstock at the desired height using a sharp knife or pruning shears. Avoid crushing or tearing the bark or wood tissue.
- If you are using dormant rootstocks (such as bare-root trees), soak them in water for 24 hours before grafting to rehydrate them.
- If you are using potted rootstocks (such as seedlings), water them well before grafting and keep them moist but not soggy afterwards.
By following these steps, you can prepare your rootstock for grafting and increase your chances of success. Happy grafting!
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting rootstock to graft on is a process that requires some knowledge and skills, but can be rewarding for gardeners who want to propagate their plants. Rootstock is the base and root portion of grafted plants that provides support and nutrients for the scion, which is the flowering and/or fruiting part of the plant. Rootstock can be obtained from nurseries, online sources, or by growing your own from seeds or cuttings. There are different methods of grafting, such as chip budding, whip and tongue, cleft grafting, etc., that involve making precise cuts on both the rootstock and scion and fitting them together . The graft should be secured with tape or wax and protected from pests and diseases until it heals. Grafting can help improve plant vigor, disease resistance, fruit quality, and adaptability to different soils and climates.