Budding and grafting

Alan Toogood describes how to increase roses by budding, plus using whip-and-tongue, saddle and splice grafting to propagate many other plants

- Alan Toogood

TO produce a new plant by budding or grafting is probably a greater thrill for an amateur gardener than raising plants by any other means. This is because these two methods of propagation are often looked upon as being within the scope only of commercial nurserymen skilled in knife work. Admittedly, a certain amount of skill is needed to be successful, but this need not deter the adventurous amateur as success usually comes with practice.

Two parts of two plants 

Both budding and grafting techniques involve the creation of a permanent union between parts of two plants, so that eventually they grow as one. The plant that provides the root system is known as the stock, and onto this stock is grafted a piece of the variety to be propagated – the scion. This provides the top growth, stems, leaves and so on.

Budding and grafting allow us to propagate many plants that are difficult to raise from cuttings. Also, some plants do not grow well on their own roots, such as many of the bush and climbing roses. Usually only varieties and hybrids are propagated by budding and grafting, because these do not come true from seed.

Most species can be seed-raised as they come true to type, so there is little point in propagating them by vegetative methods. Only plants that are closely related can be budded or grafted, and a really sharp knife must be used for both methods.

Budding

Budding is the usual method of raising bush, climbing, rambler and shrub roses. Admittedly, some will make good vigorous plants from cuttings, especially ramblers, but most roses need a vigorous rootstock.

Obtaining and planting stocks