Easy tips for successful adenium grafting | Adenium grafting

Grafting is a technique where we place a portion of one plant in another plant stem, branch or root in such a way that a union is formed and the partners will continue to grow. The part of the combination that provides the root is called the stock; the added piece is called the scion.

 

Grafting is the most common means of propagation for selected hybrids and cultivates. Adeniums that are propagated from seeds may not be the same as the mother plant owing to cross-fertilization of its flowers.  Another method of propagation is to develop a new plant from cuttings, thus retaining the characteristics of the original plant. However, doing so may not lead to the development of a great caudex, the attractive feature of the plant.

The grafting technique ensures  propagation of the same kind of plant with a good caudex. The common rootstock is Adenium seedlings, such grafts soon look very natural and in time it is difficult to locate the graft union.

Normally, two types of grafting techniques are followed:

• V-cut or Wedge graft
• Flat-cut graft

 Materials needed

• Clear bag - Small sized clear plastic bag to cover and protect the scion until the graft cut heals. It also helps maintain humidity.
• Clear strip - 1" by 5" strip cut from clear plastic sheet.
• Rubber band or twist ties - For tying and securing the clear bag.
• Scotch tape or tying material - For securing the Adenium scion to the Adenium stock.
• Adenium stock
• Adenium scion
• Sharp Cutter - A thin blade knife or a cutter is needed for cutting the stock and scion.
• Fungal powder
  

 Process of doing Flat-cut 

1.  Find a portion of a healthy branch of the Adenium stock that will be suitable for the graft. Feel the branch to estimate its thickness and regularity of shape. Generally, a thickness of atleast 1".Sterilise a sharp knife blade by letting the blade sit in alcohol for a few minutes.
2. The stem of the rootstock is cut at least 3-4 inches from the base or if it is a single stem, a horizontal cut is made 3-4 inches above the caudex. The cut should be clean and as flat as possible.
3. Now the scion is placed on top of the stock branch with the correct orientation. That is, the top side of the scion should remain so after placing it on the stock.
4. Place the scion firmly onto the center of the stock with both freshly cut places together. Take the plastic twine and wrap it around the stock part a few times to safely secure the graft in place.
5. Take the plastic bag and cover the scion and most of the stock. Secure the bag around the entire graft.The idea here is to keep some humidity circulating around the graft to promote permanent attachment.
6. The grafted plant is kept in shade for about two to three weeks or till the scion shows signs of sprouting.
7. The clear bag is then removed and the plant gradually moved into full sunlight. Also, trim the new shoots emerging below the grafted portion.
   

 

V-cut or Wedge graft

 

 Process of doing V-Cut

1. The stem of the root stock is cut at least 3-4 inches from the base. If it is a single stem, a horizontal cut is made 3-4 inches above the caudex. A sharp, disinfected or new cutter is used to make this cut. Thereafter, a cut is made down the middle of the stem to a depth of about one inch. This slit is then given a sharp V shape to accommodate the scion. There is no need to wipe the sap oozing from the cut, thus avoiding contamination.
2. The base of the scion is cut to form a symmetrical wedge, after estimating the length required for fitting it in the V-cut of the rootstock. For wedge graft, a longer length of scion can be used as compared to flat-cut graft.
3. The scion is then inserted into the V cut of the stock.
4. The graft junction is then wrapped firmly with the clear, plastic strip like a bandage and tied with tape or tying material.
5. The graft is covered with a clear, plastic bag and tied loosely at the base to allow air circulation.
6. The grafted plant is then kept in a shaded area for about two weeks. If the graft is successful, new sprouts start appearing on the scion. The covering is then removed.
7. After tiny leaves start appearing, the plant can be gradually shifted to full sunlight. The plastic strip wrapped around the joint can be removed after another 3-4 weeks.
8. Any shoots that appear from the root stock are removed with a sharp tool.
9.  
   

A successful graft will heal and sprout a new set of leaves over some time. On the other hand, a failed graft will show signs of rot. The scion will become yellow, soft and mushy indicating it could not receive water and nutrients from the stock.