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This technique is often used to combine strengths of two different plants together in one new plant.
For Bonsai grafting is used for a variety of purposes: to add roots to enhance the Nebari (root flare or surface roots), to add a “missing” branch to a tree or to form an entire new tree. Grafting can be tricky, so start with experimenting on leftover material to gain experience.
When? Pines should be grafted in the winter, Junipers and most deciduous trees in the spring or summer.
How? Grafting will only work when the stump and the graft belong to the same botanical family. Two techniques are commonly used for Bonsai purposes; side-grafting (to add a branch or root to an existing tree) and top-grafting (to merge a stump and a graft together to form a new tree).
Side grafting
1. First step is to find a suitable graft to add to the tree; you might take a graft from another tree or you can use material from the tree itself (basically relocating a branch or root). The graft should not be too large, about 5 cm (2’’) should be fine (see photo 1).
2. Using a sharp flat knife make a shallow incision in the bark of the stump of about 1 cm (0.4’’) long, be careful not to cut into the hardwood of the tree (see photo 2).
3. Now take the graft and cut the last 1 cm (0.4’’) at an angle, to make it fit properly into the incision of the stump. Next place the graft with the barkless portion facing the interior of the tree into the stump, making sure the cambial layers of both the graft and the stump contact (see photo 3).
4. Use wire or an elastic material to wrap the stump and the graft tightly together.
It will take about two months before the graft will show signs of growth, however, do not remove the wire that holds the stump and the graft together for at least a year to make sure they bond properly.
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