Grafting different types of trees : stone fruit, citrus, and vines

Abstract

Grafting is an ancient technique that has been used through the years to create trees that give good, tasty fruit. Grafting is a technique that is used to join the upper part and the lower part of two different trees so as to take the best out of both. The lower part is usually a ‘wild’ tree that is easy to grow, free from diseases and adapted to the soil in which it is growing. The grafted upper part is derived from an existing tree which has other properties like a good yield, tasty fruit or produces particular specific fruit. The graft joins these two trees so that the fruit tree is propagated. In this short study I have explored the different grafting techniques that are used in Malta to clone stone fruit, citrus and vines. The study is divided into two parts. First, I looked at the studies and research which is already documented. I focused on grafting techniques that are already used in Malta. I provided short explanations of what each graft entails, when it is best used and how to care for it after it is created. In the second part of the study, I have listed some of the grafts that I have performed and their success rate. I have followed the techniques that are explained in the first part. I also included in this part information and knowledge that I gathered from skilled grafters and farmers who have been grafting trees for years. I then compared the literature review with the practical findings.