How to Graft Fruit Plants

Overview

Grafting fruit plants is the process of joining a cut stem from one fruit plant into a cut in another fruit plant, so they fuse and grow as a single tree. The stock, or the lower part of the grafted plant with the roots, and the upper part, or scion, must be compatible to produce a successful graft. Many varieties of the same fruit tree are compatible with one another and can be grafted successfully to produce a fruit tree with stronger roots and leaves and more succulent fruit.

Step 1

Select a healthy and disease free twig from a healthy fruit plant that is at least a year old and has a few buds on it. Use a sharp knife to make a smooth diagonal cut that is 1-inch long and penetrates the outer bark and the inner nutrient dense tissue. This is called the scion and should have the same diameter as the rootstock, or the part of the plant you are attaching it to.

Step 2

Store the scion in a cool place or keep it damp to prevent it from drying while you prepare the rootstock. You can keep it in moist sphagnum moss, a refrigerator or a container with water.

Step 3

The stock for the fruit plant should be a stem along with roots, or a part of the root. Make a straight diagonal cut similar to the one made on the scion with a sharp knife.

Step 4

Match both the cuts of the scion and stock tightly together. This point where the two pieces meet is called the union. The cambium area of both the pieces, or the area directly under the bark, should meet for the union to develop. Make sure the lower tip of the scion does not hang over the stock if both the pieces are not of the same size. Try to match the cambiums of one side only to form a successful graft.

Step 5

Wrap the union with grafting tape or rubber budding strip to prevent it from going dry and encourage both the plants to fuse.