Rind graft technique

Want three varieties of apple but only have room for one tree? Maybe save a heritage species and enjoy a new variety? AG experts Steve and Val Bradley have the answer

- Steve and Val Bradley

GRAFTING is a method of vegetative propagation that normally involves joining together two separate plants in such a way that they eventually function as one. It is a means of replicating selected plants that do not come true from seed or are difficult to propagate by other vegetative methods. Also, as in the case described here, it can be used to produce ‘family’ fruit trees, with different cultivars grafted onto a single plant. This method is called rind grafting. It takes its name from the process of inserting scions (new pieces of stem) under the bark, which is known as the ‘rind’ by horticulturists.

Victorian gardeners would completely change the cropping variety of an apple tree by removing all the top growth and grafting a new variety onto each branch stub to produce a productive new tree quickly, making full use of the existing framework and the established root system. We seldom go that far, but grafting is a useful way to improve cropping.

Most apples need a pollinator for a good crop (a few need two) and problems with the fruit set can arise if there is not enough room for another tree or if the pollinator is removed. Any replacement will take time to reach maturity and produce quantities of blossom, so one answer is to introduce a pollinator by grafting a piece onto your existing tree or, if the tree is a ‘Bramley’s Seedling’, at least two different varieties.

Benefits of a pollinator close by