Useful Information about Grafting

Slice one piece of plant and splice it on other and see it growing as one plant. But how to actually join two plants and add life in it? Well, this process in horticulture is called as grafting. There is one host plant and the other is the graft plant. The upper part (the scion) has to be sealed properly with the lower part (understock) the one with the roots, to continue the growth of the plant. The ultimate intention of this process is to join plants and grow them as one. It also helps the flower plants to bloom more and fruits to grow more. 

How to join the plants?

There are wide variety of ways to perform the grafting technique however the most common and easy one is with the help of tape. Different types of tapes like cotton medical, electrical, silk, paper is widely used for conducting this horticulture technique. However the most effective one that can be used for grafting is rubber tape.

The natural rubber tapes are specially designed for the grafting activity which has successfully helped in growing good number of plants. The highly elastic nature of the rubber creates an intimate grip and also expands as the plant grows.

Rubber grafting tapes are also permeable that is why it allows enough air to enter and the buds to breathe. It prevents moisture. The tape doesn't cause any breakage and the plant smoothly grows. Some of the tapes are biodegradable in nature, they naturally fall and get dissolved in soil, once the plant start growing.

However to maintain the longevity of the tapes, it is necessary to keep it away from the direct contact of sun or UV rays as it can result in degradation of the tape. Store it in closed container under ambient temperature.

Grafting for which type of plants

There are many budding and fruiting plants on which grafting technique can be used. According to a study, it is proven that grafting can be fruitfully done for

Regular fruiting plants like mango, pomegranate, guava, custard apple, cherries, lemon, watermelon, apple

Vegetable plants like tomato (most popular in Asia and Europe), cucumber, brinjal, eggplant, chillies, sweet peppers

Flowering plants like ash, camellia, redbud, hawthorn, variety of roses

Other plants include maple, beech, dogwood, birches, spruce, fir, hazelnut, honey locust, and different varieties of cedar

There are also other types of plants apart from these on which grafting technique is used.

When to graft?

The best time to graft your favourite plant is during late winters that is the dormant season. First cut the newly grown scions which has buds on it, then until the springtime, refrigerate the scions in plastic bags.

Tip: Make sure the rootstock that is the lower part of the plant and scion is of the same size.

Once the grafting is done, new buds are expected to bloom within 15 to 30 days.

Grafting may seem to be a new horticulture technique but according to a study it’s almost 4000 year old back technique used in ancient China. It was initially a common technique followed by commercial farmers but now anybody interested in gardening can learn the techniques of grafting and grow more plants.