Grafting is a horticultural technique that involves joining two or more plants together to create a new plant with desirable characteristics. Grafting is commonly used to propagate fruit trees, ornamental plants, and some vegetables. There are different types of grafting methods depending on the purpose, the season, and the plant material available. Some of the most common types of grafting are cleft grafting, whip and tongue grafting, bud grafting, and bark grafting. In this article, we will explain each type of grafting in detail and provide some tips on how to perform them successfully.
Different types of tree grafting techniques
Choosing the right kind of graft to perform on the tree will make or break your success. A combination of precision in cuts, sterility and selection of the right type of graft will greatly determine how well you do.
Cleft grafting
Cleft grafting is a method of plant propagation that allows the grower to combine two different plants into one. The plant that provides the roots is called the rootstock, and the plant that provides the shoots is called the scion. Cleft grafting involves cutting off a branch of the rootstock and splitting it in half with a knife or a cleaver. Then, two scions with matching cuts are inserted into the split and secured with tape or wax. The scions should have at least one bud each and should be compatible with the rootstock. Cleft grafting is usually done in early spring when both plants are dormant or just starting to grow . Cleft grafting can be used to propagate fruit trees, roses, grapes, and other woody plants.
Read: How to do cleft grafting
Whip and tongue grafting
Whip and tongue grafting is a technique of plant propagation that involves joining a scion (a shoot or bud of a desired variety) to a rootstock (a plant with a well-developed root system) by making corresponding cuts on both parts and interlocking them together. The purpose of whip and tongue grafting is to create a strong and durable union between the scion and the rootstock, as well as to ensure a good contact between their cambium layers (the thin layer of cells that produce new growth). Whip and tongue grafting is suitable for plants that fuse easily, such as fruit trees, roses, and some ornamental shrubs .
Whip and tongue grafting is a simple but effective way to propagate plants that share compatible characteristics. It can help you create new varieties, preserve old ones, or improve existing ones by combining desirable traits from different sources .
Read: How to do whip and tongue grafting
Bud grafting
Bud tree grafting is a propagation technique that involves inserting a bud from a parent plant into the bark of a rootstock plant. It is usually done in late summer when both plants are actively growing . The advantage of bud grafting is that it requires less scion material than other methods of grafting, and it can produce more uniform trees. Bud grafting is commonly used for roses and fruit trees such as apples . The most common type of bud grafting is T-budding, where a T-shaped cut is made on the rootstock and the bud is inserted under the flaps of bark .
Read: How to do bud grafting
Air Layering
Air layering is a propagation technique that allows you to produce new plants from existing ones without cutting them off or disturbing their roots. It involves wounding a section of a stem and wrapping it with moist sphagnum moss to encourage root formation. The new plant can then be separated from the parent plant and transplanted to a new location. Air layering is especially useful for plants that are difficult to root from cuttings or grafting, such as magnolias, camellias, citrus, and figs . Air layering can also be combined with grafting to obtain several plants from the same rootstock. This process is sometimes called air grafting.
Read: How to do air layering
Rooting
Root tree drafting is a technique of propagating new trees by joining a scion (a shoot or twig) from a desired tree to a rootstock (a rooted plant) of another tree. The purpose of root tree drafting is to combine the desirable traits of both trees, such as disease resistance, fruit quality, growth habit, etc. Root tree drafting can be done using various methods, such as chip budding, whip and tongue grafting, cleft grafting, etc. Root tree drafting requires careful selection of compatible scion and rootstock, proper timing, clean cuts, secure attachment and protection from infection and dehydration.
Read: How to do root drafting
Conclusion
Tree grafting is a horticultural technique that involves joining two or more parts of different plants to create a new plant with desirable characteristics. There are different types of tree grafting methods, such as cleft grafting, whip and tongue grafting, bark grafting, bud grafting and approach grafting. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of plants involved, the season and the desired outcome. Tree grafting can be used for various purposes, such as improving fruit quality and yield, repairing damaged trees, creating ornamental plants and preserving rare or endangered species. Tree grafting is an ancient art that requires skill and practice to master, but it can also be rewarding and fun for hobbyists and professionals alike.