Try to Plant Grafting for a Gardening Challenge

Records show that the practice of grafting is an ancient one, dating back well before the time of Christ It was once believed that any plant could be grafted on any other. This probably arose from observations made in tropical areas where seeds sometimes lodged in the cleft of a tree where seeds germinated and grew in the organic matter that had accumulated there. However, today, we know that only very closely related plants are capable of being grafted.

Many forms of grafting are practiced, and the technique known as budding is widely used in the production of fruit trees, roses, and ornamental trees and shrubs. Without the practice of grafting many of the popular varieties we know today, such as the Delicious Apple or the Peace Rose, could not have been maintained. Wrong was the man who wrote in 1889: We doubt if there is a greater nuisance in the whole practice of gardening than the art of grafting. It is very clever, it is very interesting, but it will be no great loss if it is abolished altogether.

While the technique of budding generally works best during June, July and August, many other forms of grafting are done just before plants begin new growth and are still dormant. Three terms are important in any discussion of grafting: stock, scion, and cambium. The stock is the rooted lower portion of a plant on which the graft is to be made. The scion is the shoot, bud or piece of twig to be fastened on the stock. Most important of all is the cambium, a thin layer of pale green tissue found directly under the bark.

The cambium layers of the stock and scion must touch as much as possible for a graft union to take place. Most types of grafting do not require many tools. Most important of all is a good sharp knife. Special budding or grafting knives may be purchased, but other knives may be used. Knives should be razor sharp and kept that way. All cuts must be straight and smooth. This is the part of grafting that takes practice. It is easy for an inexperienced person to cut with a slight curve or wave. A curve in one or both cuts of stock and scion means that the cambium layers cannot fit and grow together, so the graft will not "take."

Wax is placed over the complete graft to keep it from drying out. In some cases string or rubber bands are also necessary to bind the stock and scion together when healing. Scion wood should be no thicker than a pencil and should be totally dormant. Cut pieces about 5 inches long, and store in plastic bags in a refrigerator until used. Never let them dry out or freeze.

Many persons get a good "education" in grafting from direct observation of those who have developed the technique. Plants that make good practice material are peach, plum, apple or crabapple. Get a good variety from a friend or neighbor and try grafting it to a branch of an existing tree of the same type. An apple tree with several varieties of apples is not only a novelty, but a good way for the beginner to practice grafting. This practice is known as top working, and might include techniques such as the cleft graft, bark graft or stub graft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting