plant grafting
Grafting has been used for thousands of years. It is said that the Chinese have been grafting plants since 1000 BC. It was and still is used all over the world. Even Aristotle mentioned it as a metaphor, "If some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches" (Allen, 59).If you want to learn how two, three, or more different plants can grow together as one, read on about the wonderful world of grafting and be amazed! Grafting has been used for many purposes, but it was not till the 16th century that it became popular. Not only was it a way to repair plants, it was also a form of art. Grafting flourished in the Renaissance period when many paintings and other art work were done of grafting, such as a plaque done by the great Florentine sculptor, Luca della Robbia. In horticulture, grafting is a sort of propagation. This is the art and science of establishing and replacing plant life that is used in daily methods. Propagation is separated into two categories. One is sexual propagation, and the other is called asexual propagation. Asexual propagation simply means to
This type of grafting uses one bud that is cut off from the plant used. On the stock, a T-shaped cut is made. Next, the scion (bud) is inserted into the cut. Lastly, the surrounding area is covered with grafting wax to prevent evaporation or falling out. the graft are the scion and the stock. The scion, is the piece of twig or shoot that is the aerial piece. This is the piece that is the dependent plant. This word can also be spelled cion. The stock is the host plant. It provides the scion with nourishment, and is the piece that is rooted into the soil. This is also called the rootstock, and understock. Sometimes, a piece is added between the scion and the stock. This is called the interstock. For the experiment I had to do, the graft method used was different from any of those listed above. These cases were done before most of the research had started, to give time for the cacti to grow. Two cactuses were used for the simplest of the three grafts performed. The two were the Moon cactus, and one similar to the Peruvian apple cactus. For the experiment, each of the plants were shaved straight across, at the bottom of the scion, and top of the stock. The two were than placed on top of each other so that the flesh of the cacti were in contact. To keep them in place, two pins were stuck through both cacti. It was than pins or even nails. Another way to insure growth, is to place the plant, in a temperature between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, callus forms faster, thus improving the take. Most grafts fail, so selecting similar plants helps to improve the take percentage. Take is the word that describes if the two plants can live together. If the plants do not take, it means the grafted plants cannot live together, and the case will be a failure. The success or failure of any graft is totally based on the compatibility of each plant part, the closeness of the fit, and the cambial contact. These all need to be accounted for.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Walter I'm, Grafting Grafting, Walters Allen, Allen York, World Plants, plants grafted, scion stock, asexual propagation, grafting wax, type grafting, graft etc, allen 59, , plants grafted allen, whip graft, grafting usually, wonderful world grafting, art grafting,
Approximate Word count = 2491
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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