If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to graft a fruit tree but weren’t sure where to start, then this article may be the answer for you.
With a bit of know-how and the right equipment, you can take cuttings from an existing tree and “graft” them onto a rootstock.
This process is relatively simple and provides you with an opportunity to produce multiple varieties of fruit from one tree.
Here’s everything you need to know about grafting fruit trees as a beginner.
What You Need to Get Started
In order to graft a fruit tree, you only need basic tools, so it’s easy enough for anyone to do with a little practice. First, assemble your tools and materials.
Here’s what you will need:
- A sharp knife or special grafting tool
- Protective gloves
- Clean pruning shears (for taking cuttings)
- Tape or rubber bands (to bind the joint)
- Rooting hormone, wax, or paraffin (to seal the wound)
- Raffia (to hold the graft together)
It’s also important that you have a healthy stock of both rootstock and scion wood available — this is what you will use for your grafts.
Step #1: Prepare Your Rootstock
Before starting any work on your rootstock, make sure it has been in its current pot for at least two years — this ensures that the roots are well-established.
Carefully remove the rootstock from its pot and inspect it for any signs of disease or damage. Trim off any dead or diseased branches or leaves so that only healthy sections remain.
This step is important because disease can spread quickly through a tree if not caught early on. Once inspected, replant your rootstock in its original pot before moving on to the next step.
Step #2: Take Cuttings From Scion Wood
Now it’s time to collect cuttings from existing branches of your desired tree type — this is known as scion wood.
The best time to do this is during winter when most trees are dormant as they are easier to work with when dormant than when actively growing new shoots.
Use pruning shears to take 3-4 inch long cuttings from healthy branches that have no signs of disease or damage.
These should be bent into a “U” shape so that they fit better onto your rootstock later on in the process.
Make sure each cutting has three buds at least — more buds mean more chances for success with your graft!
Step #3: Secure Your Grafts
Once all of your cuttings are taken care of, it’s finally time to begin grafting!
Carefully trim away excess branches around the collar area on the rootstock until only one bud remains. This will be used as an anchor point for our first graft.
Place one piece of scion wood against this bud and secure it using tape or rubber bands.
Make sure there are no gaps between where the two pieces meet — if there are gaps then air will get in which could dry out our grafted material causing failure later down the line!
Cover all exposed areas with wax or paraffin before binding tightly with raffia so that water does not enter either end of our joint while we wait for it to heal over time like any other wound would do naturally in nature.
Finally, apply some rooting hormone around our newly grafted junction before placing back into its original pot.
Conclusion
Grafting fruit trees is surprisingly easy once you know how – all it takes is a bit of practice and patience!
With just a few materials such as protective gloves, clean pruning shears, tape/rubber bands, wax/paraffin, rooting hormone, and raffia – plus some healthy stock – you can create your own hybrid fruit tree!
All you need now is some TLC – regular watering schedule, plenty of sunlight exposure, good soil quality, etc – and soon enough, you’ll find yourself enjoying delicious homegrown fruits right off the branch! Happy growing!
