Grafting is the process of bonding a piece of one plant (scion) onto another plant (rootstock).
Soil types vary considerably and Proteaceae are fine-tuned for their particular soil type while a hybrid rootstock generally has a wider tolerance. Compared to the scion, the rootstock may also have a resistance to nematodes, certain pathogens, drought, high or low ph. etc. In most cases, it is more robust and stimulates the scion (Orothamnus zeyheri, Protea...
Figure 10. Various knives and tools for grafting Bypass secateurs need to be sharp and scrubbed clean with steel wool. The Felco 6 (smaller) is my choice and can be disassembled for maintenance. There are two types of knife blades that I use – a single bevel and a double bevel. Single bevel knives taper from the back of the blade to the cutting edge only on one...
A hand sprayer of alcohol (isopropyl) is needed. Methylated spirits can be used but it leaves a deposit on the blades of knives when flamed which is then transferred to cut faces. The work surface needs to be sprayed at the start and hands and under fingernails as it must be assumed that if fingers touch the open cut surface, contamination has occurred. Two or...
The tape used should stretch and have a memory after the binding is done to ensure that it will tighten rather than loosen. It should also be transparent so that adventitious shoots that develop under the tape on the stock can be seen as it is important to remove these at first show. This tape should be long enough so that it can be tied off after the binding...
Sealing wax is not needed if the buddy tape (or Parafilm) is used over the first binding tape as it will stop most air leaking into the graft faces. Proteaceae, after grafting often have adventitious shoots developing on the stock under the tape and sometimes almost in the graft interface where they intercept nutrients that are needed elsewhere. These must be...
Some grafters suggest using a plastic bag to create a micro-climate after grafting. I have found it time-wasting and counter-productive in my warmer climate and the warm and moist atmosphere with little or no air movement inside is a recipe for fungi and needs constant attention. Fungi usually start when the leaves inside are in contact with the plastic bag and...
The scions of some species are more responsive to grafting relative to their position on the mother plant, and it is also important when they are harvested. Protea rupicolor and P. aristata respond quicker after grafting when the scion still has the apical meristem intact and harvested in early summer when the terminal bud is just (repeat – just) beginning to...
A healthy rootstock is essential, more important even than the state of the scion as the latter has no roots for pathogen entry and foliar sprays can take care of the leaves. Cuttings for grafting rootstock should be taken from plants that are proven free of diseases as these can easily return to bite you just when the scion starts to establish itself. The...
The scion should be stripped of the lower leaves to allow for the graft cuts and retaining four or more leaves above. This is over generous but allows for a recut if there is a bit of operator error and more leaves have to be stripped off the scion for a recut. Stripping the leaves may wound the scion stem too much depending on scion maturity and species so...
There are many types of grafts, but I have settled on a few that are easiest and most effective for the Proteaceae as stem diameters of the scion and the stock often varies and this dictates the type of graft used. As wound healing starts at the cambium, which is only a few cells thick, it would be impossible to match cambiums all the way stock to scion, so...