At our most recent Master Gardener
class, we talked about how plants are
propagated. While most of us are
familiar with starting new plants
from seeds and cuttings, one of the
most fascinating ways to propagate
new plants is by budding and
grafting.
In most forms of grafting, a stem
portion of a desired plant (referred
to as the 
scion) is attached to
the stem of another plant (referred
to as the rootstock). Once the scion
begins to grow, it will form the top
of the new plant. All new growth
originating below the graft will be
removed. If you’ve seen a
weeping cherry tree that has a
straight trunk and then weeps at the
top of that trunk, you’ve seen a
classic example of a grafted plant.
Budding is a variation of grafting in
that only a bud with the attached
bark is attached to the plant which
will serve as the rootstock. After
the bud begins to grow, the stem of
the rootstock will be removed above
the bud. Also, no growth will be
allowed on the rootstock below the
bud. Budding is commonly used for
many plants, including fruit trees.
The point where the bud was inserted
can easily be seen as a crook in the
stem a short distance above the
ground.
One major advantage of grafting and
budding is that they are vegetative
methods of propagation. Thus the new
plant that grows from the scion or
bud will be exactly like the plant it
came from. Grafting or budding may be
the propagation method of choice for
a variety of reasons. For instance,
it may be very difficult to root the
desired plant from cuttings.
Sometimes the rootstock can impart
certain desirable characteristics to
the new plant. These may include
increased hardiness, drought
tolerance, or disease resistance.
Some rootstocks exert a dwarfing
influence on plants. The
size-controlling influence of certain
rootstocks is really taken advantage
of by apple growers. With high
density orchards, the height of the
trees is so limited by the rootstock
that most of the apples can be picked
from the ground.
Grafting and budding must be
performed at very specific times in
relation to the the stage of plant
growth. The timing and technique will
vary from one species to another and
an understanding of these factors is
crucial. But the skill of the person
doing the work will ultimately
determine whether the procedure will
be successful or not.
If you need more information about
how certain plants are grafted or
budded, contact the Extension Service
at 704-736-8452.
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