Understanding Tomato Grafting: History, Techniques, and Benefits
Explore the world of tomato grafting, including its history, basic terminology, soil-borne pathogens, scion and rootstock types, grafting methods, and essential steps for starting your plants. Discover the reasons for grafting, its pros and cons, and how it can enhance yield and disease resistance in tomatoes.
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Presentation Transcript
Tomato Grafting History Basic Terminology Soil Borne pathogens Scion Root Stock Top Graft Side Graft
Why Graft?: Pros and Cons Pros: 30-50% yield boost (RI- triple the control), more water and nutrient from soil, less irrigation, resistance to diseases. Root balls reach 4- 6- 10 feet wide (vs 2-3 feet) Cons: Pain, expensive, weird , no difference, 30% success rate
Soil Borne Pathogens Bacterium, virus, fungus, microorganisms Fusarium races- fungus Fusarium root rot- fungus Nematodes- microscopic worms Corky root rot- fungus Tobacco mosaic virus- RNA strand virus Verticillium wilt- fungus
Scion & Rootstock Rootstock: Maxifort, Beaufort Scion: Trust, Cobra, Big Beef, Arbason, cluster & heirloom
Grafting Types Top Grafting- Used on small seedlings- 2mm Side Grafting- 2- 3 mm size seedlings ideal Generally plants have 4 or 5 true leaves at this time. Difficult to graft if smaller then 2 mm and success rates declines as diameter increases.
Cotyledons True Leaves
Xylem: carries water Phloem: carries nutrients Cambium: vascular area
Starting Your Plants Rootstock: long thin stems, sequential seeding Start on heat mat: Humid, 85 degrees Adjust sun exposure Rootstock in 2.5 pots Scions in 98 (128 s) over-seed rootstock by 40% to account for 80% germination rate and the fact that some rootstock unsuitable. Keep in mind success rate. Arrange
Top Grafting Remove first set true leaves Leave cotyledons Cut 45- 60 degree angle just below cotyledons Cut rootstock at same angle just below cotyledons Slip grafting sleeve onto rootstock and then slide scion on.
Side Grafting Diameter must be large enough for the graft (2-3 wks) Select plant with same diameter Remove cotyledons and first true leaves on the scion Make upward cut 2/3 through stem at 60 degrees (about 1 inch below cotyleons) Cut off top of rootstock just below cotyledons. An inch below the rootstock cut make a downward cut into the stem matching the scion cut Insert the matching cuts and clip together Hold two root balls together and plant into a pot, water promptly. Side grafted roots of scion are left for 4-5 days Make a partial cut to wean the stem Stabilize plant with small stakes After 2 more days the stem to the scion root is cut all the way through.
Post-Grafting Care Warm (80-85) & 95% humidity Misted to keep humidity and in shade. The leaves don t need to be wet all the time. Plastic domes 4-5 days for top grafts to heal 6-7 days for side grafts to heal Gradually introduce to light and open dome vents Once moved out fully- mist to prevent wilting Union above the soil level
Managing Plant Vigor Remove leaves ( 10-12) 2 leaders- adds a load to the roots- only remove normal amt leaves. Removal below lowest cluster with fruit Maxifort- 2 leader Beaufort- single
Quick Tips for Success: Expose seedling to stress prior to grafting: shorten stalk and increase tolerance Avoid excess fertility in potting mix Water plants well before grafting Graft early or late in the day to avoid water stress- cloudy day Cut graft one at a time as you go Always match diameters and make good contact
