The Art of Grafting: Understanding the Different Methods for Joining Plants

Grafting is a horticultural technique where a piece of tissue from one plant (called the scion) is joined to the root system of another plant (called the rootstock). The goal of grafting is to combine the desirable characteristics of the scion, such as fruit quality or resistance to disease, with the strong and healthy roots of the rootstock.

Graftages are the different methods used to join the scion and rootstock together. There are several types of graftages, including:

1. Whip and tongue grafting: This is a simple method where the scion is cut into a thin slice and the rootstock is cut with a V-shaped notch. The two pieces are then joined together by inserting the whip (the long, thin portion of the scion) into the tongue (the V-shaped notch in the rootstock).
2. Cleft grafting: This method involves cutting the rootstock into a cleft (a V-shaped incision) and inserting the scion into the cleft. The scion is held in place by wrapping the graft with tape or a specialized grafting material.
3. Approximation grafting: This method involves joining the scion and rootstock together by bringing the two pieces close together and securing them with tape or a specialized grafting material.
4. Inlay grafting: This method involves cutting the rootstock into a flat surface and inserting the scion into the flat surface, creating a pocket of tissue that holds the scion in place.
5. Grafting under tension: This method involves joining the scion and rootstock together while applying tension to the graft, which helps to secure the join and promote healing.

Each type of graftage has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of graftage will depend on the specific needs of the plants being grafted.