Graftage

Graftage  is the art of inserting a part of one plant into another plant in such a way that the two will unite an continue their growth. It differs from cuttage, layer age, and bulb propagation in that the plant part expected to produce the top of the new plant is deprived of its own root system and unites with another plant that supplies this part. The art of graft age is not new. Country to popular opinion, it is no recent innovation in the arts op plants craft. Pliny, writing before the birth of Christ, Recognized graftage as horticultural practices, and it known that is was practiced before his time. Columella, who died shortly after the birth of Christ, mentioned certain kinds of graftage, praticularly the bark graft, cleft graft, and patch bud, which he said had been practiced by the ancients. It is a significant fact that at those early periods in agricultural history the unreliability of seeds and the important of graftage were appreciated in the reproduction of varieties. At various times have actually been rediscovered by worders who were not familiar with their previous use.

The field of graftage includes scion grafting and bud grafting, commonly referred to as grafting and budding. The two, however, are so different that a discussion of each will be reserved for separate chapters. Some of the operations and terms that are common in all types of graftage will be considered in the following sections.

Top- Working : 

 The series of operation whereby the top of a plant is replaced with a top a different variety is known as top-working. In some cases a large plant of the old top is cut away and a new one started ; after which the old one is cut away by degrees until the top consists largly of a differnt variety. Trees may be top-worked successfully by either budding or grfting or by a combination of the two. The process may be completed within on season of it may extend over several years, depending upon the size and conformation of trees to be top-worked. In reality, bud-ding or grafting of small nursery tree is top-working ; the term, however is generally use with regard to changing the tops of larger trees.

Dehorning: 

  The practice of cutting the main limbs and trunk of a tree back to stubs is known as dehorning. The extent to which trees can be safely cut back varies with the species, some can be cut back much more severely than others. In practice, trees are cut back so that the stubs that remain range in length from 1 to 4 feet and diameter from 1to 6 inches. when a tree is dehorned, the limbs should, if possible, be cut at points that will result in the new top having a symmetrical shape. It is not advisable to cut limbs at different heights so that the new growth of  some will obstruct sunlight and create shade for others. In order to facilitate healing of the wound , a limb to be dehorned should be cut a t point where a side limb or a lateral bud occurs on the upper side. This virtually assures growth from very near the terminal part of the stub, and this encourages over waling of the wound . If no shoot grows within 1 inch of the end of the stub, it usually becomes advisable tore cut it during the first year at a point whee a lateral  limb has developed in the meantime, preferable on the upper side of the stub. Considerable application in renovation pruning and is use in many cases as a preliminary step in the top-working of large trees.

Forcing:  

Any treatment that encourages and hastens growth of a bud or graft is referred to as forcing, It is known that the terminal growing point creates hormones which restrain the growth lateral buds below.Essentially, forcing consists of elimination of this influence and creating for the bud or graft a terminal position from a physiological standpoint. In practice, of a tree are different from the budded or grafted top. The body stock may be the same as the root system, bud in many cases it is of different king, as consequence of double-working.

Matrix:

 The matrix is a place on the rootstock that is prepared for the insertion of a bud or graft.

Scions: 

 The limbs that are cut from any plant to be sued in graft age  are known as scions those which are to be used for grafting are known as grafts, or graft wood; and the ones that are to be sued as a source of buds for budding are called bud wood scins reproduce the kind of tree or plant from which they are taken and hence are obtained from they variety  to be propagated. Healthy parent plants should be selected in order to prevent the spreading of disease in propagation.

The success of budding and grafting by the different methods depends, among other things, upon the use of the appropriate kind or type of scions, and also upon methods of handling them from the time they are cult from the parent tree until they are finally sued. The time that intervenes may be a few hours or several months.

Graftwood: 

 d Scions for grafting are usually obtained from one year-old wood, sometimes older wood is used. They should be straight, smooth, have normal, plump buds, and few or no side branches. The size range for graft wood amy vary considerably for different methods.

--> Scions for grafting should be thoroughly dormant at the time they are used. Dormant scions normally contain reserve stored food to provide energy for respiration callus formation, and early growth of the scion. They should be secured before the plant from which they are to be taken shows any signs of growth .Those cut in midwinter tend to remain dormant longer after they are inserted in to a stock than those that are cut a  later date, scions that make premature top growth before union is established usually wither and die within a few days. In practice it is customary to cut scions any time from midwinter until 2 or 3 weeks before the parent tree, with no more than a day day or two intervening.

Scions that are to used relatively late in the grafting season may be cut and held in cold storage in order to keep them dormant. At a temperature of from 32 to 36˚ f. graft wood can be stored successfully for 4 months or longer, though there is seldom any occasion for storing it this long. Prior to storage, the scions should be packed in moist insulating material .Sphagnum moss and coarse sawdust are commonly used for this purpose, both are light and easy to handle, absorb be moist, scions show that from 3 to 5 pounds of water for each pound of sphagnum moss is sufficient. It is desirable to add the water and soak it uniformly in to the insulating  material before packing if around

Grafting Wax: 

 A solution grafting wax can be made by mixing, by weight, 10 10 parts of pine resin, 2 parts beeswax, and 1 part talc. These are mixed by heating and are applied in a melted condition with a  ⅓ -inch brush.  The melting point of this mixture is a about 165˚ F , and the mixture should be used when it is at about this temperature or only slightly higher.

Melted paraffin is suitable as waxing material and is used quite commonly for earl spring budding and grafting. It is not suitable for budding or grafting when the temperature is above 85 or 90˚ because of its tendency to melt and to cause scalding of the bud or graft. A pint Thermos bottle shown in Fin 102, with a brush handle inserted through a cork stopper, is a very convenient type of dispenser for melted paraffin.

Transplanting

Transplanting consists of moving plants from one place to another with the intention of having them conutnue there growth in the new location.

         Transplanting

The art of transplanting is probably more widely than any other in horticulature work,except that of planting seed. It is important in the growing of flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Many vegitable crops are started in specially prepared seedbeds and later moved to the field. Building site are quickly made attractive, parks are established, high-ways are provided with shade, orchard and small fruit plantations are established, forests are replanted and flowering plants are rendered more valuable- allby various adaptation of this practice. The distance involved may be small or greaqt, only a few feet or hundreds of miles. Success in either case depends parthly upon care exerised in the three rather distinct operations of digging, moving, moving to the new location, and replanting. It depends, certain environmental factors, as, fore example , humidity and temperture .

When a plant is transplanted, it may reseume growth in due time –either promthly or delayed –or may die. To survive, then plant must have sufficient reserve-food manterals to sustain respiration and to support the initial growth of roots and top. In addition, it must have or it must develop quickly roots, to take up sufficient moisture to provide for transpiration from the top a transplanted plant is closely associated with the absorption water loss from the top by transpiration, and enable the root system to absorb water and nurtuents, more readily increase the chances of survival of the plant.

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Methods of Moving plants. 

Bare-rooted. 

One common method of moving horticultural plants is known as bare-rooted transplaning.By this method the root systemis removed from the soil in which is has grown, and is replanted in a new location.The root system of plant moved in this way is seriously damged by physicale injury, and it is subjected to some exposure,both of which are likely to destroy root hairs and growing root tips and hanicap the plant isn herbacesous plants and for deciduous trees and shrubs.

Shifting.

Plants may be moved aslo by shifting, an operation wherby plants are startedin pors or similar cotainers, and from these moced to a langer container or to a permanent location.By this method the soil remains intact, with little or no damage to the toor system. The is a means wherby species that do not stand transpl;antin well are sucessfully moved .

Balling and Burlapping.

Particularly the same results as shifting may be obtained for larger plants by balling and buralapinng In doing this, the plants are dug to include the main roots intact in a ball ofearth, which is supported by burlap. This procedure is commonly used in moving evergreen plants, as described later, and also decidouse species during the growing season.

Herbaceous Plants.

May vegetable and flowering plants are transplanted when in a tender, succulent, growing condition. The success with which such plants can be transplanted depends on server factors.

Formation of New Roots .

Plants of some species do not stand transplanting well.This is true of corn and may of the peas

Horticultural Industries

Horticultural Industries

In modern times, horticulture has been separated several fields of specialized interest:

Pomology. Fruit growing is one of the most ancient of horticulture industries, as indicated in records of many of the early civilization of the worlds. In this country, fruit-growing has reached a very intensive stage of development, from the standpoint of technology.The commercial fruit industry of the United States,  including citrus fruits, apples, peaches, grapes, pears, strawberries, cherries, plums, and many others, extends over an area of 6 million ares with an annual average production in recent years of 20 million tons and a cash value to the growers in excess of 1000 take million. Tree-nut production averages annually 25,0000 tons with a cash value to the growers of 90million.

Olericulture

Vegetable production is also an ancient horticulture enterprise. Aside from home and marker gardening, vegetable production in the Unites States has been expanded over tremendous areas with the growing of such crops as lettuce, tomatoes, melons, onions, cabbage, and many other truck crops, for shipment railway and truck refrigeration to distant markers. The commercial vegetable industry covers approximately 2 million acres with an annual average production of 10 million tons and a cash value to the growers of 1000000 million.

Bulbs and other Modified Structures

Most horticultural plants are characterized by normal roots stems, leaves, flowers and fruits. There are, certain plants in which one or more of these parts have become highly modified. These plants constitute some of the most valuable and interesting flowering and vegetable plants.
classification:
The various types of bulbs and other modified structures may conveniently bi included in the following classification.
1. Bulbs.
a. Layered or tunicate. Examples: onion,garlic, narcissus, hyacinth,and tulip.
b. Scaly. Example: lily.
2. Corm, or solid bulb. Examples: gladiola and crocus.
3. Rootstocks
a. Rhizome. Example canna,banana,bamboo,and asparagus.
b. Pip. Example: Lily ot the Valley.
4. Stem tubers. Example : Irish potato and Jerusalem artichoke.
5. Fleshy roots. Example: sweet potato and dahlia.
Important and use:

It is appropriate to outline briefly several phases of interest related to the production and uses of bulbs and other modified structures considered in this chapter. Propagation Stock. The kinds of plants included in the forgoing classification are planted widely by commercial grower and home owners. This, then reates and need for planting stocks. Formerly most of the planting stock sas grown in foreign countries, notably in Holland . In recent years restrictions have been placed on importation of foreign-grown stock to lessen the danger of introducing new disease and insect pest. The effect of these to supply the need for planting stock. Commercial producing Washington, and other states, and the domestic supply in now being produced largely in these areas.

Forcing Certain Kinds of bulbs are used widely for forcing to produce blossom, usually at seasons when flowers are not plentiful. The3y are popular with commercial florists, who sell them as cut flowers or as potted plants, Bulbs are the most popular plant for forcing in the home. They may be grown in blows of water, in sand, or in sil.

Naturalized Beds. Bulbs are popular flower for naturalized beds, where they are allowed to grown largely undisturbed for a number of years. They are specially suitable for this purpose because they are hardy and are attacked by relatively few insect pests or disses, they normally bloom at a time of the year when flowers are scarves, and they grow several years with a minimum of care.

Economic Use: Several of the plants of this class have economic value because of the edible parts which they produce and their important as food plants. This is notably true of the Irish potato. sweet potato, banana,and asparagus.