Horticulture Principles and Practices

Scion
Wax
FIGURE 10–17 Steps in bark
grafting. (a) The stock is cut horizontally
and slots prepared by
making two parallel vertical
cuts (b). The bark is peeled
back (c) so the scion can be
inserted and nailed in place (d).
The grafting process is completed
by waxing (e).
(a)
(b) (c) (d) (e)
Scion
FIGURE 10–18 Steps in side
grafting. (Source: For (b) © Dorling
Kindersley)
Tie to hold
union in place
Rootstock with
cut to receive scion
is tied and sealed to keep the union in place for healing. After healing is complete, the
top of one plant and the base of the other are cut so that only one stem remains.
10.11.2 SPECIALIZED METHODS
Side Grafting
In side grafting, an angled cut is made into the stock. A scion is prepared and fitted into
the cut by bending the scion gently backward to open up the cut. The scion is secured in
place by tying (Figure 10–18). This technique may be used to improve the shape and
symmetry of a plant. The scion and the shoot from the stock parent are both allowed to
grow and develop.
Bridge Grafting
The problem that calls for bridge grafting occurs in temperate or colder regions. When
rodents are prevented from reaching food on the ground by the presence of snow around
the base of the tree, they may turn to the tree and gnaw away a portion of the bark in a
ring fashion, called girdling a tree. Since this activity interrupts the transport of food via
the phloem, the roots may be starved to death, eventually affecting the whole tree. The
Girdling
The interruption of phloem
transport by removing a
ring of bark from the stem.
10.11 Methods of Grafting 327