Cleft Grafting, Top-Wedge Graft or V-Graft - Part 4

(This is the continuation from Part 3)

  1. Move the grafted plant to a quiet part in the garden where it will be shaded and won't be disturbed. I usually place it under the shade of taller garden plants.


  2. You could have several grafts in a single stock plant. Shown below are a couple of grafts made with scions that bear the red and yellow Cape Honeysuckle flowers on a stock plant that bears the orange flowers.

    So, if the grafts are successful, I should have the three colors of the Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma Capensis) flower blooming in a single plant: two different flower colors from the two grafts (red and yellow) and the stock plant's own flower color (orange).



How to Check for a Good or Successful Graft

  1. For the Cape Honeysuckle plant, you should be seeing some new green growth on the scion after one to two weeks.




    Typically, you would see it at the tip of the scion as shown below. You can see the scion's new growth clearly through the scion bag as well as through the scion wrap.


  2. Untie twist tie or tie wire and then carefully remove the scion bag. Take care not to pull on the newly grown buds and leaves of the scion.


  3. With a razor blade, cut the knot of the scion wrap. At this point, don't cut yet the graft wrap.


  4. Slowly unwrap the grafting tape by turning the cut end outward and upward. Be careful not to hit nor entangle the new fragile leaves. The scion may appear a bit moist.


  5. With the graft wrap still intact, put back the scion bag and then retie the twist tie. Return the plant to the shaded quiet corner. This will allow the new green growth to freely grow while still within the scion bag.





How to Remove the Graft Wrap

  1. After a week in the shade, get the plant. You might notice some water droplets that collect on the inside of the scion bag. This is normal because of the condensation that occurs. The new growth observed in the prior week will now be more lush.


  2. Untie the tie wire and remove the scion bag taking care not to pull on the scion's new leaves.


  3. You might be seeing some buds or new growth coming out of the stock's branch that connects to the scion. This would be obvious if you see the buds BELOW the grafting point.


  4. Remove them by scratching them out with your thumb or finger. These adventitious growth from the root stock would compete with the still developing scion.


  5. With a razor blade, cut the graft wrap thinly. Avoid cutting through the grafting tape or you'll wound the graft unnecessarily.


  6. Remove one of the cut ends of the grafting tape and slowly unwrap the tape as shown below.


    When removed, the graft may appear wet and this is because of the trapped moisture. This is normal.


  7. Here is a magnified view of a successful graft after it has dried and healed.


    This is looking from the other side.


  8. Pinch or cut off top growth if you want the rest of the stock plant to grow branches.


  9. When the new growth has flourished with the normal sized leaves, you may put it under the sun. The yellow circle in the photo below shows the successful graft.



Applying the Cleft or Top-Wedge Grafting Method to Bougainvillea

This same technique may be easily applied to other hardy plants like the bougainvillea. Shown below is a mature bougainvillea that was grown in a small pot. One grafted branch now has a flowering scion.


Notice the grafted branch not only has a different flower (purple) than that of the root stock (dark peach), it also has variegated leaves.

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