Tree grafting involves joining the rootstock of a tree with the buds, or shoots of another tree, to make the tree bear fruit. Apple trees are often considered the best choice for those of you who are new to tree grafting. Apple seeds that are planted will not produce the same fruit as the original apple. Meanwhile, grafting is able to produce apples of your choice. Start with the stem grafting method and practice until you are successful at grafting.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Choosing a Rootstock
Step 1. Plant an apple tree that is known to grow well in your area
The rootstock must be strong to grow in your area. You can grow an apple tree from seed (using the rootstock), but you will have to wait a few years for the plant to mature.
The rootstock must also be suitable for the climate and insects in your area
Step 2. Purchase rootstock to replace seedlings
Ask the purchase of rootstock at the plant nursery. This step is the best way to ensure that the type of rootstock to be used is suitable for grafting.
When buying it, discuss the types of entres that match the rootstock you are buying
Step 3. Plant the rootstock in the pot until it is ready to use
Place the pot in a cool, damp place during the winter. Although they are usually sold when they are a few years old, rootstock can also be purchased prior to grafting.
Step 4. Make sure that the rootstock and stump used are of the correct diameter
The diameter of the two rods used must match. However, grafts with smaller diameter entres can also be successful.
Step 5. Buy several rootstocks at once
The success of the transplant will increase with practice. So, you may have to cut some of the stems and rootstock before grafting is successful.
Part 2 of 4: Cutting Entres
Step 1. Cut the stems of the entres in fall or winter
You can store them until the spring of next year, when the seedlings are ready to sprout and plant. Pick the stems when the temperature is above 0° Celsius and the apple tree has become dormant.
Step 2. Cut the trunk of a 1 year old apple tree
Use sharp plant shears. Clean the shears with rubbing alcohol before picking different types of entres.
Step 3. Choose a stem that has at least 3 buds and is 0.6 cm in diameter
Step 4. Instead of harvesting them yourself, buy entres
A seed shop or delivery service can send you shoots for storage until you are ready to transplant.
Step 5. Moisten the sawdust or peat moss (sphagnum moss)
Place the sawdust or peat moss in a large sealed plastic bag. Put the shoots in the plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator freezer until you are ready to transplant.
Step 6. Open and spray the plastic bag with water every now and then to make sure the gum doesn't dry out
Part 3 of 4: Grafting an Apple Tree
Step 1. Transplant the apple tree in early spring before the rootstock shoots open
This often occurs between April and May, but will depend a lot on the climate in your area.
Step 2. Choose a rootstock with a diameter of 0.6 cm
The rootstock must have the same size as the entres used.
Step 3. Cut the end of the rootstock at an angle pointing up
Then, cut the tip of the shoot at an angle pointing downwards so that the growing shoot is above the grafted part.
Step 4. Cut the bottom of the stem, above the dead part of the stem
Use clean, sharp pruning shears. For successful transplantation, the shoots and rootstock must be exposed to fresh green cells or cambium.
Step 5. Sharpen the knife used for grafting
Sharp blades increase the chance of successful grafting.
Step 6. Cut the bottom of the stem with a pointed corner pointing down
The length of the cut should be about 2.5 cm. Make sure that there are three good shoots on top of the cut.
Step 7. Make the same cut at the top of the rootstock
Cut the rootstock with a pointed angle pointing up. When affixed, the two stems will merge and look like one plant stem.
Step 8. Cut a tongue at each end of the stem
This allows the cambium cells to meet each other at at least two points so that the shoots and rootstock are firmly fused.
- Cut the rootstock tongue groove about one-third the length below the previous cut. You'll need to cut it downwards, as opposed to the previous cut, so that the curves come together.
- Cut the stems at an angle up and about one-third the length below the previous cut.
- Move the knife slowly so that it doesn't come off and hurt yourself.
Step 9. Bring the tongue of the rootstock and entres together
Gently slide the cambium or green part of one stem over the cambium of the other. The grafted part should be quite stable.
Step 10. Cover the combined area with masking tape or floral tape
Don't cover the ends. This way, you don't have to cut and open the grafted area as the plant begins to grow.
Step 11. Grease the tape with parafilm or grafting wax
Step 12. Cut the shoots above the top third shoot at a 45 degree angle
Also cover the top with parafilm.
Step 13. Immediately label the buds so you know which plants have been grafted
Part 4 of 4: Planting Transplanted Trees
Step 1. Plant the rootstock in a pot
Store the pot in a cool, damp area. Rootstock can also be wrapped in a plastic bag filled with peat moss and moistened until planted.
Step 2. Store the plant in a temperature of 2.2-5.5 degrees Celsius
Plants should be stored in such a climate for 2-4 weeks.
Step 3. Plant the grafted rootstock in a safe place where you can monitor it closely
Watch for signs of insects, deer, or other damage. Plants should be exposed to full sun.
Step 4. Cut the shoots that extend from the rootstock
Entres should thrive, but not dominate.
- Initially, you can leave some leaves on the rootstock to keep the nutrients flowing to the tree until the transplant is successful. However, cut the stems that grow on the rootstock. The stem will help the growth of entres.
- Once the shoots have completely started to grow and new leaves appear above the grafting area, remove any growing parts of the rootstock below the grafting area. The rootstock will keep trying to grow and form trunks on its own and you will have to cut it as long as the tree is alive.
Tips
- In some cases, you can graft several shoots onto a stronger, older rootstock to produce several types of apples.
- This type of stem grafting is called a “slit tongue graft”.
