graft
A graft is a plant that is made up of two genetically different parts and grown together.
In the case of asexual propagation (by cuttings or subsidence), genetically identical plants are created that are rootless , ie the same variety would emerge from one root shoot. In contrast, a grafted plant should have different varietal characteristics in different parts of the plant.
advantages
- Some plants need certain root properties (for example in the case of grapevines for phylloxera resistance), but the tried and tested varieties should have the fruits. Grafting combines both advantages.
- The combination of different plants (examples: pear or quince on hawthorn; apple variety "Holsteiner Cox" on apple variety "M11") results in a well-defined strangeness of the roots and shoots, which means that the tree starts earlier from the growing season (vegetative phase) comes into the fruiting and ripening period (generative phase), i.e. flowers and fruit after just a few years; Without roots, the trees would become huge, only bear fruit after about 10 years and be difficult to pick. With the right choice of base , the tree nurser can determine whether a tree will grow strong or not and whether it will soon bear fruit.
- Multiple varieties can grow on the same tree.
disadvantage
- Significant labor costs;
- wild root shoots, especially in roses and plums.
Working method
Growing parts (bud, young twig (graft)) are inserted with a sharp knife at an appropriate place on the rootstock so that the growth layers (cambium) touch; The wound is hermetically sealed to the outside with tree wax. The best season for this is for apples when the juice pressure is greatest, i.e. in April / May.
Demarcation
A graft chimera can arise from a graft .