May 8, 2008

Grafting: A method of Propagation

Once the man acquired the basic skills of propagation of plants he began to experiment with it. Many methods are used for the propagation of plants. Grafting is one of the methods. The tools needed for the grafting are pots of roots stock, knife, tape, Cuttings and Labels. Once you have all these tools you are ready to do grafting and grow many interesting plants.

Grafting is a very popular method in propagation. Grafting is a method to connect the sap-flow of the rootstock to the scion. It is done mainly in three ways. They are Side Graft, Wedge Graft and Rind Graft.

Side Grafting is considered as easy technique by many people. To do the Side grafting you need to learn to apply pressure downward with your cutting blade at the right angle at the same time your left hand should give the pressure upward in order not to cut the root off. The angle should be constant. You have to use forward and back motion. Do not push hard. The cut should be flat, do not scoop. The flat cut of the scion makes the grafting successful once the cutting is in place tape it. Let the nature take its own course.

Wedge Grafting is another method of propagation. A rooted cutting in a tube you have to pull upwards with your left hand and apply pressure with your cutting blade at the right angle. Be careful otherwise the pressure will break off the roots. In this method two cuts are made. The bottom cut is at 45 degrees. The scion should have a long cut on one side and second cut is a short cut with 45 degrees on the other side so it will match the slot. Once scion is in tape it with enough firmness to hold it together.

The third method of grafting is the Rind method. Thicker rootstock has a better chance of surviving. In this method the knife should be along the bark and gently push the knife in to the wood. Very gently lift the bark off from the wood. The scion should be cut from side to side long and flat. Trim the ledge a little and slide it under the bark. Then trim down each edge so that it connects better with the flow.

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