48 Care of the graft 


may have become destroyed. Seedlings may be grafted on heavier 
stock to quicken their growth and maturity. 
The best time of year to graft is when both the part to be grafted 
(scion) and the plant on which the graft is placed (stock) are both 
making growth. Old, hard growth that seems dormant is difficult to 
graft with any success. 


SGIO Niger ae 
STOCK -—~> 
There are several types of grafting depending on the shape of the 
plant you are to graft. The principle is the same in all—that 1s to 
unite the growing tissue. The outer covering must not hold the two 
sections apart and enough pressure must be applied to hold the two 
parts together until they have united. Rubber bands or cactus spines 
are used to hold the scion on the stock or sometimes a suitable 
weight can be applied. Often the more succulent plants, like 
Stapelias, have such a sticky sap that they will unite by just being 
put together. 
After the graft is made it is best to keep it in a moist and warm 
place so that the union will not dry out and force the graft apart. 
After several days the bands may be removed and the spines, if any 
were used, may be withdrawn. Do not use needles to hold the graft 
together because they will cause an infection and rot will result. 



