Bark grafting

Grafting is a technique used to reproduce plant varieties that are not true-to-seed, meaning that they will not produce similar fruit (or other features) if reproduced by the seed. When grafting, certain parts of two plants are joined together in a particular way, so that the cambium layer of those parts matches. If this is done correctly, they grow as a single plant. Grafting can be used to reproduce fruit tree varieties and can be performed by any gardener. All you need is a scion of desired variety, a compatible rootstock, a grafting knife, some tape to wrap the graft union and some grafting wax. For winter grafting the fresh scions (of latest year growth) are usually gathered in late winter and stored in a cool place (e.g. refrigerator) until the time of grafting in spring. Grafting is performed after the risk of significant frost damage has passed.

Bark grafting is one of the easiest grafting techniques and can be performed by practically anyone. It is used if the rootstocks is of significantly larger diameter than the scion. A vertical cut, about 4-6 cm in length is made on the bark of the rootstock and the bark is slightly lifted. Then a slanting cut (2-5 cm in length) is made on the scion and a second smaller cut is made on the opposite side to reveal the cambium layer. This second cut improves the chance of success. The scion is then inserted into the rootstock and wrapped around with electrician’s or other tape. The top is sealed with a grafting compound. Note: for every 2 cm of rootstock diameter – add a scion (e.g., a rootstock of 6 cm diameter needs 3 scions to be inserted.). Also note, that this technique is used during the period of active growth in spring, when the bark slips. The scion usually starts to grow after 3-5 weeks and it is essential to remove the shoots from the rootstock (from below the graft union). The tape can be removed after 8-10 weeks and it is important not to disturb the graft union until it fully heals (first year).

Project “Growing Seed Savers in Museums” (2021-2022) was funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers programme NORDPLUS.

More information at: https://growingseedsavers.org/seed-sa...