1. Grafting & Budding By Donald L. Josko horticultureguy@svtv.com
Copyright 2007©

2. Units Unit 1 Why Graft or Bud a Tree? Unit 2 Tree Morphology
Unit 3 Tree Physiology
Unit 4 Grafting & Budding Tools
Unit 5 Grafting /Budding Techniques‘ and
Timing

3. Definitions Scion Scion Union Union Root Root Stock Stock
Grafting- a form of vegetative propagation creating a (union) between a desired ornamental or fruit tree stick (scion) to a desired root stock.
Scion
Scion
Union
Union
Root
Stock
Root Stock

4. BUD Bud Union Root Stock
Budding-the vegetative propagation process that attaches a desired fruit or ornamental bud to the trunk of a hardy rootstock.
BUD
Bud
Union
Root Stock

5. Scion- Desirable ornamental or fruit stick.
Root Stock- A hardy portion of the plant that can survive the local conditions.
Union- The point of contact between the scion and root stock where by tissues unit and proper function is re-established.

6. Unit 1 Why Graft or Bud a Tree?
The purpose of this unit is to explain the use of grafting and budding on trees.
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
-recall the reasons why we graft or bud trees
-explain and recall the definitions.
-Identify the differences between grafting & budding
Describe the basic requirements for executing a graft or bud.

7. Why Do We Graft & Bud Trees?
Introduction:
This is the fastest form of reproduction of desirable trees that add either fruit, nuts, ornamental beauty to our landscapes.
95% of all deciduous trees are budded.
25% of all fruit trees are grafted after years of production.
Without grafting or budding 80% of all fruit, nut and ornamental trees could not be grown in the diversity of environments in the world.

8. The reason for budding:
Budding- is the main form of vegetative reproduction of deciduous trees.
The reason for budding:
Fast form of propagation(takes months to complete)
Requires only individual buds to attach to each established root stock.
Highest success rates for the diversity of plant materials used.
Relatively low in cost to execute.

9. The reason for grafting:
Grafting- is the form of vegetative reproduction of deciduous trees that is used to dwarf, invigorate, repair or improve defects.
The reason for grafting:
Used to invigorate established fruit trees by adding new varieties to an established root stock.
Repairs damage by mice, rabbits, and humans to the roots and bark of trees.
Improves structural defects of trees.
Is used to dwarf desired plant material.

10. Unit 2 Morphology
The purpose of this unit is to give understanding and clarity to the parts and external structures and their functions.
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
Identify the external parts of the tree and recall their functions.
Locate the structures of a tree.

11. Introduction:
Before people can graft or bud they must be able to locate the major structures and tissues of the plant (morphology) and understand their function (physiology).
Most grafts or budded materials fail because of poor cambium contact. This is largely due to the lack of knowledge of location

12. External Structure of a Tree
Roots
Suckers
Laterals
Sinkers
Root Hairs
Tap Root
Stem
Water Sprouts
Central Leader
Scaffolds
Lenticels
Fruit Spurs
Buds
Terminal
Lateral
Pseudo-Terminal
Adventitious

13. Roots Tap Root-Major root growing downward
Usually pruned off in nursery to form fibrous roots for better survival.
Lateral Root-roots that extend outward.
Found in the top 0-6 inches of soil.
Has greatest concentration of root hairs and storage of water & nutrients.
Root Hairs-hairs found on root surfaces.
Function for 12-24hrs
Solely responsible for water & nutrient uptake.
Sinker roots-Downward growing roots from laterals
Used to anchor trees from strong winds.
Some water & nutrient storage.
Suckers-Stems that come from the root stock.
Not desirable for fruit or ornamental uses.
Usually the result of injury to tree below the union.

14. Roots
Root
Hair
Lateral
Suckers
Tap
Sinker

15. Stems
Central Leader-The major trunk of the tree that scaffolds develop off of.
Scaffolds- Major limbs that project off of the central leader and support lateral branches.
Laterals-Are the branches that develop off of scaffolds to support buds.
Water Sprouts-Are shoots that arise from adventitious buds after pruning.
Occur above the union.
Are the preferred wood to make bud sticks or to graft with.
Lenticels- ports on a stem that allow exchange of moisture and gases.
Fruit Spurs- A modified part of a stem that produces fruit.
Takes 3 years to produced.
Is identified by it’s distinctive rings.
Internodes- The distance Between nodes.
Node-Is a site of pooled cambium that can be stimulated to form buds or roots.

16. Lateral
Central Leader
Scaffold

17. Rings
Fruit Spur
Water Sprouts

18. Node
A Bud Arising From A Node

19. Internodes
Lenticels

20. Buds
Buds are organs of the plant that can be stimulated by light, temperature, and internal chemicals (phyto-hormones) to become:
Shoots, Leaves, or Flowers
Lateral Buds-Buds that are below the terminal buds.
Terminal Bud-Is the dominate bud of the stem. It produces high quantities of phytohormones that suppress the development of buds below it.
Pseudo-Terminal Bud-The next bud that assumes the role of the terminal bud.
Adventitious Bud- A bud that arises from a hidden node under the bark of the tree.
These show up after heavy pruning or damage to the tree.
Phyto-hormones –Chemicals found at node sites that either stimulate or retard plant growth.

21. Terminal Bud
Lateral Bud

22. Terminal Bud Lateral Bud If Terminal Bud is Removed
Pseudo-Terminal Bud

23. Unit 3 Physiology
The purpose of this unit is to give understanding and clarity to the tissues and internal structures and their functions of a stem.
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
Identify the internal tissues of the tree and recall their functions and application to budding and grafting.
Locate the tissues of a tree.

24. Internal Tissues of the Stem
Epidermis
Cortex
Phloem
Cambium
(meristem)
Xylem
Sapwood
Heartwood

25. Epidermis-Outer protective layer
Bark- Outer layer that comprises epidermis, cortex, and phloem tissues.
Epidermis-Outer protective layer
Prevents drying out of internal tissues
A physical barrier to pests and the environment.
Cortex Tissue- a multi purpose tissue that can:
Store food
Generate cells to form tissues (meristem)
Phloem- Food transport tissue
Only operates in a downward position.
Cambium-A stem circled meristem layer that is 4 to 6 cell thick that
generates non-specialized cells to become all other tissues.
These generated cells are specialized by phyto-hormones produced in the node sites just below the buds.
This tissue is located between the bark and xylem tissue.
Xylem- is water & nutrient carrying tissues.
They only function upward by osmosis.
Types
Sapwood- Active transport tissue.
Heartwood- Highly strengthened xylem that is not functioning in a transportation mode.

26. Bark
Cambium
Xylem

27. Cortex
Phloem
Annual Ring
(Xylem)
Epidermis
Epidermis

28. Unit 4 Grafting & Budding Tools
Grafting Cleft
Budding/Grafting Knife
Budding Tape

29. Unit 5 Grafting /Budding Techniques‘ and Timing
Requirements for Budding
Timing
Late July through Early September
Plants must be in the same Genus and Species.
Example: apples budded to apples.
Collection of bud sticks
They must be fresh or collected and stored in water held at degrees F.
Proper Tools & Supplies
Budding or Grafting Knife
Budding Tape or Bands

30. Knowledge of Plant Tissue Location
Correct Procedure
Attach bud on North side of tree (to prevent desiccation )
2-4” above soil line
Make a “T” incision in bark to the cambium layer.
Cut a bud from bud stick. (avoid hand contact to tissue side of bud).
Insert bud into “T” incision making sure the bud is facing the correct direction.
Carefully cut the top portion of the bud with the cross portion of the “T”
Secure bud to trunk with bud tape or band.
Observe bud breaking in Spring. Cut off root stock above
breaking bud (45 degree angle).

31. Make T Cut
Cut 1
(1/2”)
Cut 2
¾”-1”
North side of root stock
This cut is made on the North side of the root stock 2-4” above the root stock.
This is done in Mid-July through the 1st week in September.
The cut is made down to the cambium.

32. Make sure bud stick is facing up
Make sure bud stick is facing up. Proceed to cut underneath bud the same length as cut # 2 in prior slide ¾”-1”.
Be sure not to touch tissue side of buds with the oils of your fingers. (the bud may not work)

33. T-Bud Cut and Insertion complete.
Notice that the top of the bud has been cut even with the horizontal cut.
The top and bottom will be taped or banded to have intimate contact of tissues.
Straight cut
after insertion

34. Summer T- Bud Graft
Removal of Root Stock Leader.
New Budded Variety Takes Over.
Following Spring Bud Break
45 Degree Cut

35. Requirements for Grafting
Select desired scion wood from water sprouts.
Acquire sharp knife & grafting wax.
Match scion to branch diameter.
Make scion 3”-5” long
Make cuts on scion and root stock.
Attach and cover with wax.

36. Select Scion wood Match diameter to root stock
Flat Cut
Select Scion wood
Match diameter to root stock
Cut top of scion straight.
You should have a minimum of 2 buds.
Cut bottom of scion 1”-1”-11/2” slanted cut
Make a notch cut just below pith back towards top of scion ½”-3/4” long.
Buds
Notch Cut
Slanted cut
Notch cut
Below pith

37. Notice the thickness of each stem.
Waxed
Stem Thickness
Straight
Stem
Waxed
Notice the thickness of each stem.
A successful whip and tongue graft has a straight stem when finished.
The tip of the scion & the union of the graft is covered with grafting wax.

38. Completed Whip & Tongue Graft

39. Other Grafts
Cleft Graft- used to rejuvenate an established fruit tree.
Bark Graft-Used to repair damaged stems

40. Grafting Failure Scion Union Root Stock
Scion Wider Than Root Stock At Union