Contents

Preface...........................................................................................................................................xxix

Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................... xxxiii

Author.........................................................................................................................................xxxvii

Introduction..................................................................................................................................xxxix

PART ONE Bench Grafting in Practice

Chapter 1 Grafting in Nature and in the Hands of the Grafter......................................................3

Vascular Continuity.......................................................................................................3

Chapter 2 Grafting Strategies: Categorisation of Grafting Methods.............................................7

Grafting Strategies........................................................................................................7

Apical Grafting.........................................................................................................7

Side Grafting............................................................................................................7

Apical and Side Grafting Strategies Compared............................................................8

Speed........................................................................................................................8

Space Requirements.................................................................................................8

Growth and Survival................................................................................................8

Convenience.............................................................................................................8

Heading-Back: A Specific Requirement of Side Grafts...........................................9

Grafting: The Five Basic Methods.............................................................................. 11

Splice Grafts........................................................................................................... 11

Veneer Grafts.......................................................................................................... 12

Wedge Grafts.......................................................................................................... 12

Inlay Grafts............................................................................................................. 13

Rind Grafts............................................................................................................. 13

The Three Categories of Importance to Bench Grafters............................................ 14

Apical Veneer, Splice and Wedge Grafts Compared.................................................. 15

Machine and Tool-Made Grafts.................................................................................. 16

Chapter 3 Making the Graft......................................................................................................... 19

The Basics................................................................................................................... 19

Understanding Stem and Root Cambia.................................................................. 19

Importance of Good Knifesmanship...................................................................... 19

Preparation of Components Prior to Grafting................................................... 19

Holding the Knife – Support and Control......................................................... 19

Splice Grafts................................................................................................................ 21

Splice Grafting Methods........................................................................................ 21

Alternative Splice Grafting Method..................................................................24

Whip and Tongue Graft..........................................................................................27

Whip and Tongue Grafting Methods.................................................................27

Veneer Grafts..............................................................................................................28

Apical Veneer Grafts..............................................................................................29

Short Tongue Apical Veneer (Apical Veneer)....................................................29

Long Tongue Apical Veneer (Modified Apical Veneer)....................................29

Side Veneer Grafts..................................................................................................30

Short Tongue Side Veneer (Side Veneer)........................................................... 31

Long Tongue Side Veneer (Modified Side Veneer)........................................... 31

Side Sloping Veneer........................................................................................... 31

Veneer Grafting Methods....................................................................................... 33

Sequence of Cuts for Veneer Grafts.................................................................. 33

Cambial Alignment for Veneer Grafts..............................................................38

Wedge Grafts...............................................................................................................40

Apical Wedge Graft................................................................................................40

Rootstock Cuts for Wedge Grafts...................................................................... 41

Scion Cuts for Wedge Grafts............................................................................. 41

Cambial Alignment for Wedge Grafts................................................................... 42

Side Wedge Graft................................................................................................... 42

Chapter 4 Fine Tuning Grafting: Positioning; Sequences; Training; Rates of Work.................. 43

Positioning Grafts........................................................................................................ 43

Height above Root Collar or Soil Level................................................................. 43

Rootstock and Scion Placement – Stimulant Bud – Grafting Methods................. 43

Priority – Scion or Rootstock?.................................................................................... 45

Sequence of Actions for Performing the Graft........................................................... 47

Training and Practice.................................................................................................. 47

Rates of Work..............................................................................................................49

Chapter 5 Grafting Knives: Grafting Machines and Tools.......................................................... 51

Knife Selection............................................................................................................ 51

Folding Blade Knives............................................................................................. 51

Design and Construction................................................................................... 51

Folding Blade Models............................................................................................. 52

Fixed Blade Knives................................................................................................54

Disposable Blade Knives........................................................................................54

Knife Sharpening........................................................................................................ 55

Hand Sharpening – Equipment and Materials....................................................... 55

Choice of Cutting Edge Angle...........................................................................56

Stone Choice and Maintenance of Sharpening Stones......................................56

Procedures.........................................................................................................56

Techniques for Curved (Hooked) Blades.......................................................... 57

Stages in Sharpening – Burr Removal – Honing................................................... 58

Honing............................................................................................................... 58

Stropping............................................................................................................ 58

Cutting Edge Retention..................................................................................... 59

Key Points for Effective Hand Sharpening............................................................ 59

Machine and Machine‑Aided Knife Sharpening...................................................60

Sharpening Aids................................................................................................60

Sharpening Machines........................................................................................60

Testing for Sharpness.............................................................................................60

Knife Maintenance.................................................................................................60

Grafting Machines and Grafting Tools....................................................................... 61

Grafting Machines.................................................................................................. 61

Grafting Tools........................................................................................................63

Chapter 6 Ties – Tying and Sealing.............................................................................................65

Basic Principles...........................................................................................................65

Tying Materials...........................................................................................................65

Non-Enclosing and Enclosing Ties.............................................................................66

Non-Enclosing Ties................................................................................................66

Tying-In Procedures and Techniques for Non-Enclosing Ties.......................... 67

Tying-Off........................................................................................................... 70

Enclosing Ties........................................................................................................ 71

Tying Procedures for Enclosing Ties................................................................. 71

Self-Adhesive Enclosing Ties................................................................................. 72

Mechanised Tying-In......................................................................................... 72

Alternative Graft Fixing Methods............................................................................... 73

Sealants and Waxes..................................................................................................... 74

Hot Sealants............................................................................................................ 74

Melting Hot Waxes............................................................................................ 75

Cold Sealants.......................................................................................................... 75

Application Methods.............................................................................................. 76

Brush Application.............................................................................................. 76

Dipping.............................................................................................................. 76

Chapter 7 Work Station: Equipment and Associated Ancillary and Safety Equipment............. 79

Centralised, Integral or Mobile Workstations............................................................. 79

Work Station – Logistics of Handling Grafts and Rootstocks............................... 79

Work Station Equipment.............................................................................................80

The Grafting Bench.....................................................................................................80

Height Adjustment Related to Seating and Method............................................... 81

Layout and Handling..............................................................................................82

Grafting Procedures and Bench Design.................................................................82

Seating.........................................................................................................................82

Seat and Bench Placement......................................................................................82

Lighting.......................................................................................................................83

Ancillary Equipment and Activities – Safety Equipment...........................................83

Secateurs.................................................................................................................84

Bench and Plant Material Cleanliness...................................................................84

Knife Blade Cleaning and Sterilisation..................................................................84

Inspecting Grafts....................................................................................................85

Labelling and Marking...........................................................................................85

Protective Clothing.................................................................................................86

Production Planning, Computers and Recording Data...............................................86

First Aid Equipment, Health and Safety and Risk Assessments................................87

Risk Assessments...................................................................................................88

PART TWO The Graft Components – Rootstock and Scion

Chapter 8 Rootstocks: Origin and Underlying Principles of Anatomy and Physiology.............. 91

Origin.......................................................................................................................... 91

Seedlings................................................................................................................ 91

Clonal.....................................................................................................................92

Roots or Root Systems............................................................................................92

Unrooted Stems......................................................................................................93

Size of Rootstock.........................................................................................................94

Root Pressure (Bleeding) and Root Activity...............................................................94

Chapter 9 Rootstocks: Categories; Acquisition; Specifications; Culture.....................................97

Categories of Rootstocks.............................................................................................97

Acquisition..................................................................................................................97

Bought-In Rootstocks.............................................................................................97

In-House Production...............................................................................................98

Rootstock Specifications – Terms Used......................................................................98

Bare-Root Deciduous Rootstocks...............................................................................99

Specifications to Meet Requirements.....................................................................99

Transport – Reception and Handling.....................................................................99

Preparation for Immediate Use..............................................................................99

Storage (Short- or Long-Term).............................................................................. 100

Bare-Root Evergreen Rootstocks.............................................................................. 100

Requirements – Specifications............................................................................. 100

Transport – Reception and Handling................................................................... 100

Storage.................................................................................................................. 101

Root-Balled Rootstocks............................................................................................. 101

Rootstocks for Top-Working..................................................................................... 101

Rootstocks for Cuttings-Grafts................................................................................. 101

Potted Rootstocks – Sourced from Other Producers................................................ 102

Requirements – Specifications............................................................................. 102

Transport and Handling........................................................................................ 102

Reception for Grafting Shortly after Arrival....................................................... 102

Reception for Use at a Later Date........................................................................ 102

Potted Rootstocks – Produced In-House................................................................... 102

Specifications........................................................................................................ 103

Pot Sizes and Types.............................................................................................. 103

Plug Grown................................................................................................................ 104

Specification and Types........................................................................................ 104

Requirements and Handling................................................................................. 104

Rootstock Culture – Bare-Root................................................................................. 105

Soil – Sowing – Seedling Density........................................................................ 105

Herbicides for Rootstocks Growing in the Field.................................................. 105

Rootstock Culture – Pot Grown................................................................................ 105

Establishment....................................................................................................... 105

Potting Composts................................................................................................. 106

Growing Conditions............................................................................................. 106

Weed Control Strategies....................................................................................... 107

Pesticide Use......................................................................................................... 108

Drying-Off Pot Grown Rootstocks........................................................................... 108

Chapter 10 Scions – General Principles – Acquisition – Stock Mother Plants – Selection

and Collection........................................................................................................... 111

Scions and Cuttings Compared................................................................................. 111

Principles for Selection of Scion Wood..................................................................... 111

Differences between ‘Ripe’ and ‘Unripe’ Shoots................................................ 112

Scion Acquisition – Non-Commercial Sources........................................................ 113

Plant Collections................................................................................................... 113

Scion Acquisition – Commercial Suppliers.............................................................. 114

Other Nurserymen or Specialist Suppliers........................................................... 114

Overseas Sources.................................................................................................. 114

High Health Status Material................................................................................. 115

Scion Acquisition from Internal Sources.................................................................. 116

Scions from Growing on Stock............................................................................ 116

Scions from Dedicated Container Grown Mother Plants..................................... 116

Scions from Stock Mother Plant Beds.................................................................. 117

Strategic Advantages....................................................................................... 117

Technical Advantages...................................................................................... 117

Disadvantages.................................................................................................. 118

Yield of Scion Material from Stock Mother Plant Beds...................................... 118

Establishment and Maintenance of Stock Beds........................................................ 119

Site and Soil – Initial Assessments....................................................................... 119

Soil Preparation.................................................................................................... 119

Planting Procedures and Design.......................................................................... 120

Weed Control........................................................................................................ 120

Pesticide and Fungicide Application.................................................................... 121

Pruning and Training Stock Mother Plants.............................................................. 121

Deciduous Trees................................................................................................... 121

Deciduous Shrubs................................................................................................. 122

Evergreen Trees and Shrubs................................................................................. 123

Conifers................................................................................................................ 123

Upright Formal Shaped Conifers..................................................................... 123

Upright Informal Shaped Conifers..................................................................124

Spreading and Dwarf Conifers........................................................................124

Climbers...............................................................................................................124

Scions for Winter Grafts...........................................................................................124

Deciduous Hardwoods..........................................................................................124

Collection.........................................................................................................124

Storage............................................................................................................. 125

Preparation....................................................................................................... 126

Evergreen Hardwoods Scions............................................................................... 126

Collection......................................................................................................... 126

Storage – Preparation....................................................................................... 127

Scions for Summer Grafts......................................................................................... 127

Summer Dormant Deciduous and Evergreen....................................................... 127

Collection......................................................................................................... 127

Storage............................................................................................................. 127

Preparation....................................................................................................... 127

Summer Active Deciduous and Evergreen........................................................... 128

Collection......................................................................................................... 128

Storage............................................................................................................. 129

Preparation....................................................................................................... 129

Conifer Scions........................................................................................................... 129

Handling/Preparation for Conifer Scions............................................................. 129

Storage............................................................................................................. 130

Transport of Scion Material...................................................................................... 130

Post Grafting Scion Growth – Use of Bud Growth Stimulants................................ 130

PART THREE Achieving the Union

Chapter 11 Anatomy and Physiology of Graft Union Formation and Development................... 135

Basic Woody Plant Anatomy.................................................................................... 135

Woody Plant – Primary Stem Anatomy............................................................... 135

Woody Plant – Secondary Stem Anatomy........................................................... 136

Woody Plant Anatomy – Vascular System........................................................... 137

Graft Union Formation.............................................................................................. 138

Union Formation – Response to Wounding......................................................... 138

Stages in the Formation of the Graft Union......................................................... 139

First Stage – Necrotic Plate............................................................................. 139

Second Stage.................................................................................................... 140

Third Stage...................................................................................................... 140

Fourth Stage..................................................................................................... 141

Diagrammatic Representation of Graft Union Formation................................... 142

Factors Influencing Callus Development.................................................................. 144

Genetic Influence.................................................................................................. 144

Rootstock – Scion – Grafting Method.................................................................. 144

Temperature.......................................................................................................... 144

Rootstock Activity, Root Extension...................................................................... 146

Moisture, Humidity, Oxygen – Effects of Sealing............................................... 146

Timing/Seasonal Patterns/Pruning...................................................................... 147

Polarity.......

The Bench Grafter's Handbook

Principles & Practice