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Grafting - /ɡraft-iNG/ - noun

April 3, 2019

Definition: A common propagation technique used to increase productivity of a plant and the quality of its produce. An asexual propagation technique, grafting is done by joining the rootstock (lower portion) of one plant variety with the scion (upper portion) of another variety from a compatible species. The plant tissue of the rootstock and scion are joined together to establish a connection. It is important to correctly align the cambium layers (the growing tissue of plants) as this allows for the plants to become one, while still keeping the desirable characteristics of both.

Did you know? Typically, farmers will graft one variety with another but this does not always need to be the case. Once farmers have mastered the various grafting techniques, some will often graft multiple scions from 2 different compatible varieties to the same rootstock. The video below shows a grafted tree with limes, mandarins, and grapefruits all grown on the same rootstock.

• “T” Budding
• Chip Budding
• Side Graft
• Topworking
• Whip and Tongue Graft

You can see what these techniques look like and learn about each one at the Forest Garden Training Center.