Which is better, cutting propagation or grafting propagation?
This article focuses on the introduction of cutting propagation versus grafting propagation in the field of green plants and flowers. Let's learn about it together.
Which is better, cutting propagation or grafting propagation?
Plant grafting and cutting propagation each have their own advantages and are hard to distinguish between. If you want to make a clear decision, I think it is, if you want to obtain a new variety different from the original, you should use grafting. And if you want to get a new individual of the same variety, if cutting is easy to survive, then you should use cutting propagation. The rootstock used for grafting can also be obtained through cutting.
Crops mainly propagate through two methods: one is sexual propagation, which is sowing seeds to grow seedlings, called seedlings.
The other is asexual propagation, which uses a part of the plant as the propagation material. Through methods such as grafting, cutting, layering, division, and tissue culture, seedlings are obtained, also known as vegetative propagation.
Although these propagation methods each have their pros and cons, they are hard to distinguish which is better. Moreover, they are interconnected, with elements of each in the other.
Asexual propagation is widely used in crops such as vegetables and fruit trees, and is frequently used in fruit tree seedling cultivation. Let's take fruit trees as an example to explain.
Since asexual propagation does not have the juvenile phase of fruit trees, such as sowing, germination, and emergence, it can shorten the seedling cultivation time, which is beneficial for early fruiting and improving fruit yield and quality. Therefore, it is commonly used in fruit tree seedling cultivation.
I'll briefly compare the characteristics of grafting and cutting propagation.
One, Characteristics
Grafting is a method where a branch or bud of a plant is grafted onto another plant's branch, stem, root, etc., and after the joint heals, a new plant is formed. It consists of two parts: the scion and the rootstock.
The benefits of grafting include enhancing the plant's adaptability and resistance, regulating the growth of branches, updating varieties, rescuing dying fruit trees, and improving pollination conditions, leading to earlier fruiting.
On the other hand, cutting involves inserting branches or roots of fruit trees into the soil to make them take root, germinate, and sprout, forming a new plant.
Cutting can only preserve the original characteristics of the variety and does not form a different entity. The new individuals formed by grafting can be the same as the original, such as grafting different peach varieties onto mountain peach, but they can also be different new individuals.
For example, hawthorn can be used as rootstock for grafting apples, and flowering peach can be grafted onto apricot, black jujube can be grafted onto persimmon, etc., while cutting will not form different individuals; the new individuals after grape cutting are still grapes.
But grafting and cutting can complement each other, with elements of each in the other.
For example, the rootstock used for grafting can be obtained from seedlings called seedling rootstock, or from cutting to produce rootstock seedlings called self-rooted rootstock.
For example, using the roots or branches of cherry trees for cutting to produce rootstock seedlings, and then grafting different cherry varieties onto the rootstock.
Two, Techniques
Grafting has various methods, including bud grafting, branch grafting, high grafting, bridge grafting, double grafting, root grafting, and indoor grafting. Each grafting method can also be divided into different techniques, such as embedded bud grafting, sleeve bud grafting, T-shaped bud grafting, abdominal grafting, cut grafting, split grafting, tongue grafting, and skin grafting.
In principle, grafting can be done throughout the year, but as plants grow differently in different seasons, the timing of grafting varies. Generally, there is more grafting in spring, summer, and autumn, and relatively less in winter.
And cutting has three methods: hardwood cutting, greenwood cutting, and root cutting.
Cutting must be done during the plant's growing season. Generally, hardwood cutting is mainly done in spring, greenwood cutting before the end of June, and preferably not later than after the wheat harvest, as it is difficult to survive otherwise; root cutting is similar to hardwood cutting and is also done in spring when the roots begin to germinate.
【Summary】
Plant grafting and cutting propagation each have their own strengths and are hard to distinguish between. If you want to make a clear decision, I think it is, if you want to obtain a new variety different from the original, you should use grafting.
If you want to get a new individual of the same variety, if cutting is easy to survive, then you should use cutting propagation. And the rootstock used for grafting can also be obtained through cutting.
The above introduction of cutting propagation versus grafting propagation is for your enjoyment!