Propagating Plants by
Grafting and Budding
D
O YOU ENJOY apples, pears, and cherries? If you do,
you are enjoying fruit that has been made
possible by grafting or budding. Our most famous
varieties of tree fruits, such as Red Delicious apples
and Bartlett pears, must be propagated asexually to
maintain the genetic makeup of the fruit. Grafting and
budding are the methods used to do it.
Objective:
þ
Describe grafting and budding methods of
plant propagation.
Key Terms:
Ñ
bark grafting
budding
cleft grafting
grafting
patch budding
rootstock
scion
T-budding
whip-and-tongue
grafting
Grafting and Budding
Grafting and budding are methods of asexual propagation often used in the production of
orchard trees, ornamental trees, shade trees, and roses. Grafting is the process of connecting
two plant parts in such a way that they will unite and continue to grow as one plant. Budding
is a form of grafting in which a single bud with a small portion of wood or bark attached is
joined with the rootstock to form a new plant.
GRAFTING
A grafted plant consists of the scion, which is a short piece of stem with two or more buds,
and the rootstock, which is the lower portion of the graft. The rootstock is sometimes
E-unit: Propagating Plants by Grafting and Budding
Page 1 u www.MYcaert.com
Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only.
E030018
referred to as the understock or
stock. The scion becomes the
stem, and the rootstock becomes
the root system.
Factors for a
Successful Graft
A number of things must be
considered to ensure a successful
graft. There must be contact
between the cambium layer of the
scion and the cambium layer of
the rootstock for successful
growth of the graft. Keeping the
graft moist is essential. Moisture
can be retained at the graft union
1
2
3
4
5
by covering the grafted area with
wax, grafting compound, rubber, FIGURE 1. Budding is a form of grafting in which the scion consists of a bud
and a small piece of stem.
or polyethylene banding. The
scion and the rootstock must be
from compatible plants. This means plants of the same genus must be grafted (e.g., apple to
apple). Also, the grafting procedure must be done at the proper time of the year.
Reasons for Grafting
Plants are grafted for a number of reasons.
Grafting is done to produce more plants.
Selection of appropriate rootstocks can have a
dwarfing effect on the stem. Selection of
appropriate rootstocks can increase the hardiness of a plant. Disease resistance in a plant
can be improved. Grafting can change the
natural form of a plant. The main reason for
grafting is to propagate plants asexually that
are difficult to propagate by other methods.
Grafting Methods
1
A number of grafting methods are used by
propagators. Whip-and-tongue grafting is
commonly used to propagate fruit trees. The
root of a young seedling tree is used for the
rootstock. The scion is a dormant twig con-
2
3
4
FIGURE 2. Whip-and-tongue grafting.
E-unit: Propagating Plants by Grafting and Budding
Page 2 u www.MYcaert.com
Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only.
E030018
taining three or four buds. The diameter of the scion and the diameter of the rootstock must
be about the same, usually the size of a pencil. The stock and the scion are cut at a slant angle.
The tongue is then created by making a single cut 1/2 inch deep into the sloping cut. Both the
scion and the rootstock have a tongue cut. The scion tongue cut is inserted into the rootstock
tongue cut. The cambium layers of both cuts are lined up. The graft union is bound with tape.
Wax or grafting compound is used to seal the graft to prevent moisture loss.
Cleft grafting is often used to join a smaller scion to a larger rootstock. Cleft grafting is
usually done in late winter to graft a new cultivar onto an existing tree limb or rootstock. The
branch or tree is cut straight across. With a knife or grafting tool, a split or slit is made in the
cut end of the limb or rootstock. Next, a scion piece 3 to 5 inches long with one or two buds is
cut, and the end sharpened into a thin wedge. The wedge is slid into the split end of the
rootstock. It is important that the cambium layers of
the scion and the rootstock match. The graft is sealed
to prevent moisture loss.
Bark grafting is similar to cleft grafting in that it
is used to join smaller scion wood to larger rootstock.
This method is done in the early spring, when the
bark easily separates from the wood along the cambium layer. Bark grafting is used to propagate fruit,
ornamental, and shade trees. The top is cut from a 1/2to 2-inch-diameter rootstock tree. On one side of the
cut, a 2-inch long cut is made down through the bark
of the rootstock. A scion is selected, and the bottom
end shaped to be slanted on one side to a sharp point.
The bark is pulled from the rootstock slightly along
the slit cut, and the sharpened part of the scion is slid
in between the bark and the wood. As with other
grafts, the cambium layers of the scion and the
rootstock must match. One or two small nails are
driven through the bark on each side of the slit, or
twine is wrapped to hold the graft tight. The graft area
is sealed with wax or grafting compound to prevent
FIGURE 3. Bark grafting is used to propagate fruit,
moisture loss.
like this Delicious chip being joined to the Geneva
rootstock. (Courtesy, Agricultural Research
Service, USDA)
BUDDING
With budding, a single bud scion is joined with the rootstock to form a new plant. Budding
is done in the spring or fall, when the bark separates easily from the wood of the rootstock.
Budding is faster, easier, and more economical than grafting methods that require the use of
stems for scions. No wax is necessary, and the cambium layers need not be aligned. Also, less
scion wood is used. Most roses and fruit trees are propagated by budding. Two types of budding are T-budding and patch budding.
E-unit: Propagating Plants by Grafting and Budding
Page 3 u www.MYcaert.com
Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only.
E030018
T-budding involves taking a bud from one plant and inserting it under the bark of the
rootstock. A T-shaped cut is made through the bark of the rootstock tree. The bark is gently
peeled back on each side of the T. A bud is taken from a budwood stick by inserting the knife
at the base of the bud and carefully cutting out the bud, including a small sliver of wood. A
horizontal cut is made just above the bud to sever it and the sliver of wood from the budwood
stick. The bud is inserted, right side up, into the
opening of the T cut. It is slid tightly into the
cut and secured with a rubber budding strip or
polyethylene tape. The strip or tape is wrapped
above and below the bud. A tight wrap prevents
loss of moisture from the bud.
Patch budding is used when the bark is
thick, as on pecans and walnuts. This method of
budding is done before growth starts in the
spring. The bud patch must be precisely
matched with the patch opening in the bark on
the rootstock. Special budding knives are used to
make the cuts on both the budwood stick and
the rootstock. The area, except the bud, is then
covered with grafting wax or waxed cloth to
FIGURE 4. In patch budding, the opening on the
hold the bud in place and prevent the loss of
understock should be the same size as the scion.
moisture.
Summary:
2
Grafting and budding are used in the production of orchard trees, ornamental trees,
shade trees, and roses. Grafting connects two plant parts in such a way that they will
unite and grow as one plant. Budding is a form of grafting in which a single bud
with a small portion of bark or wood attached is joined with the rootstock to form a
new plant.
A grafted plant consists of the scion and the rootstock. The scion becomes the stem,
and the rootstock becomes the root system. Whip-and-tongue grafting is used to
propagate fruit trees. Cleft grafting and bark grafting are used to join a smaller scion
to a larger rootstock.
T-budding involves taking buds from one plant and inserting them under the bark
of the rootstock. Patch budding is used when the plant’s bark is thick.
Checking Your Knowledge:
´
1. How do grafting and budding differ?
2. What things must be done to ensure a successful graft?
E-unit: Propagating Plants by Grafting and Budding
Page 4 u www.MYcaert.com
Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only.
E030018
3. What are some reasons for grafting?
4. What are some methods of grafting?
5. What are some methods of budding?
Expanding Your Knowledge:
L
Visit a nursery or orchard where grafting and budding are practiced. Watch a demonstration of proper techniques. After receiving instruction on grafting and budding, practice the skills. Prepare scions and rootstocks so the cambium lines up.
Apply wax or wrap the union, and await the results of your work.
Web Links:
:
Grafting and Budding Nursery Crop Plants
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag396.html
Grafting and Budding Fruit Trees
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/cass/horticulture/fruit/graft.htm
Plant Propagation
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/propagation/propagation.html
Agricultural Career Profiles
http://www.mycaert.com/career-profiles
E-unit: Propagating Plants by Grafting and Budding
Page 5 u www.MYcaert.com
Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only.
E030018