1. Grafting & Budding
Plant Propagation

2. Terminology

3. Stock; rootstock; understock: becomes the root system of the grafted plant.
Scion: becomes the stems/branches (top) of the grafted plant. In grafting, the scion is typically 6-8 inches long. In budding, the scion consists of a single bud.

4. Interstock: a straight piece of stem grafted between the rootstock and scion. May be used to create specialty products like a “standard”.
Double Working: term used to describe the process of using 2 grafting techniques to create a product.
Topworking: grafting a new variety onto established trees. The apical wedge (cleft) graft is used extensively for this purpose.

5. A “double-worked” grafted plant with interstock.
scion
interstock
rootstock

6. Diagrammatic representation of a standard.

7. Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’
Some Examples of Standards
Bald Cypress
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’

8. Vascular Cambium: meristematic tissue located between the xylem and phloem. In order for the graft to be successful, the vc of the scion must be physically touching the vc of the rootstock.

9. vascular cambium

10. Callus: mass of cells developing from the wounded scion and rootstock.
Compatible: a rootstock and scion are said to be “compatible” if they are sufficiently related, in a botanical sense, to form a successful graft union.
Graft Union: the place on the grafted plant where the scion and rootstock are physically connected to each other.

12. Grafting & Budding Systems

13. Location where accomplished: Scion/Rootstock Considerations
Grafting Systems
System
Location where accomplished:
Season
Scion/Rootstock Considerations
Open Ground Grafting
Outdoors
Spring
*Dormant scions
*Rootstocks just beginning active growth
Bench Grafting
Indoors
Winter
*Dormant rootstocks either potted or bare-root
Top Working
*Rootstocks are established trees just beginning active growth

14. Open ground grafting: Inlay bark graft on Hickory

15. Bench Grafting

16. Bench grafting: Whip & tongue grafting onto pieces of bare-root rootstock

17. A “topworked” orchard

18. Location where accomplished: Scion/Rootstock Considerations
Budding Systems
System
Location where accomplished:
Season
Scion/Rootstock Considerations
Open Ground
T-Budding
Outdoors
Summer
*Rootstocks established in the field.
*Bark must slip on rootstock.
*Scion is a single bud.
Open Ground Chip Budding
Spring-Summer
*Bark does not have to slip.

19. T-Budding: Preparing the rootstock

20. T-Budding: Preparing the scion

21. T-Budding: Bud insertion

22. Chip Budding Schematic

23. Reasons for Grafting & Budding

24. #1 Most trees cannot be easily propagated from cuttings and are either grafted or budded.
#2 Many cultivars/varieties have poor root systems that can be improved by grafting.
Selection of hardy, fibrous root systems.
Size control in apples.
Disease resistance.

25. #3 Changing varieties in an orchard using topworking.
#4 Creating specialized products:
Standards
Weeping Mulberry

26. The End