Grafting

From BonsaiWIKI

Grafting is an advanced technique process of joining materials from two or more plants to make a single plant.

Grafting is used in bonsai to add branches and foliage where none exist, or to change the type of foliage on the tree. It can also be used in propagation to select scions with particular characteristics.

The part that is grafted on is called the scion. The part that is grafted to is called the rootstock. Special bonsai tools called grafting knives are used to make sharp cuts.

Whether a graft will be successful depends on the compatability of the two components as well as the skill of the plantsman. Plants of different botanical families cannot be grafted successfully because they are incompatible. So it is not possible to graft a Mulberry with a Pine. It is possible to graft an Apple to a Quince or Pear because they belong to the same botanical family.

The key to successful grafting is practice. It is necessary to bring the cambium of the scion and rootstock into close proximity and ensure that they remain hydrated until the graft "takes". Sharp knives limit the damage to the tissues as they are cut.

Types of grafting popular for bonsai include the following:

• inarch grafting
• thread grafting

Links

1. Root Grafts for Bonsai by Brent Walston
2. The Bonsai Primer - Grafting
3. Wikipedia - Grafting
4. Division & Grafting by Kevin Bailey
5. Grafting as a Bonsai Tool by Chris Johnston
6. Grafting by Ray R. Rothenberger and Christopher J.
7. Grafting and Budding Nursery Crop Plants
8. Grafting Figs By Jerry Meislik
9. Shane Cary Workshop - Lake Charles Bonsai Society Grafting Workshop by Clint Hathaway
10. “From the ground up� Grafting and Budding by Michael A Dirr & Charles W. Heuser, Jr.
11. Thread Grafting...it's time - thread
12. phoenix grafts (please don't bite my head off) - thread

See Also

• Phoenix graft

Grafting Terms

Types: Thread graft | Approach graft

Tools & Supplies: Grafting knife | Grafting wax | Poly bag | Syringe | Peat moss

Terms: Root stock | Scion | Understock | Graft union | Necrosis

Propagation Terms

Types: Sowing | Cuttings | Layer | Division | Cell culture | Grafting

Tools: Grafting knife

Terms: Bottom heat | Striking Roots | Germination | Stratification | Mist house | Hybrid | Clone | Fertilization | Pricking out

Supplies: Rooting hormone | Peat moss | Cutting mix | Liner