Grafting 101

The purpose of this experiment is to graft branches from various different fruit trees onto a root stalk. Though you will not see fruit from these branches until the following year, you will be able to observe whether or not the grafted branches took hold within a few months.

Research Questions:

• How was the process of grafting invented?
• What are the different types of grafts that can be used?
• Why are some types of grafts better than others?
• Why do people use grafting?
• How long does it take a graft to take hold?

Materials:

• An established fruit tree planted in the ground such as an apple or a peach
• Branches from various fruit trees such as peaches, plums, apricots, pears
• A small hatchet
• A knife
• Grafting wax
• Garden clippers
• Wire brads
• A hammer
• A digital camera

You will need access to an established fruit tree. If you do not have one, it may be possible to conduct your experiment at a friend’s or neighbor’s house. Branches for grafting can be collected from friends and neighbors rather than bought at a plant nursery. 

Experimental Procedure:

1. Select healthy green shoots from various fruit trees that you will graft onto the rootstalk.
2. Cut the shoots off the trees with a knife or with garden clippers.
3. Place the shoots in a damp pillowcase. You will need to graft them onto the rootstalk on the same day.
4. Trim the lower edges of the shoots so that they have a 1 and a half inch wedge. The bark of the shoot should be intact on one side and trimmed away for the length of the wedge on the other.
5. Place the shoots back in the damp bag.
6. Select a branch close to the trunk of the root stalk that is about 2 inches in diameter and pointing up towards the sky.
7. Use a hatchet or saw to chop off this branch.
8. Make a 2 inch vertical slit in this branch through the bark.
9. Make another 2 inch slit parallel to the first slit and about ¾ of an inch away.
10. Gently pull the bark away to create a space between it and the trunk. Do not allow the bark to break off; you will need it to secure the graft.
11. Place the shoot in the slit with the trimmed end towards the interior of the tree and the bark end towards the bark of the tree.
12. Press the bark of the root graft against the edge of the shoot gently.
13. Hammer a wire brad into the bark of the root stalk, the grafted shoot and the trunk of the tree. You may need two to secure the graft.
14. Label the grafted branch.
15. Repeat steps 8-14 twice more so that three grafted branches are placed at even intervals around the root stalk.
16. Pour grafting wax over the top of the rootstalk and the grafts. This will protect them and keep them in place.
17. Repeat steps 6-16 with other shoots. Complete three such graftings.
18. Observe the grafted branches weekly to find out whether they are taking.
19. (optional) Take digital photos of the progress in order to find out how the grafted branches grow over time. 

Terms/Concepts: Graft; Root stalk; Propagate; Seed; Germinate

References:

• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/grafting.html
• http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/dg0532c.html
• http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/propagation/cleftgrafting/cleftgrafting.html