Page 44 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics
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46 OBTAINING YOUR BONSAI
Grafting
This method of propagation is based on
joining the living tissue of two growing
plants, which may be different, yet
closely related, compatible species. The
method allies the aerial part, or scion, to
the stock growing in the ground. The
plant produced will have the characteris-
tics of the scion.
Grafting is of interest for creating
bonsai, since it guarantees the transmis-
sion of very specific characteristics,
which is not certain from seeds. Above
all it is a way of obtaining a particular
shape and style quickly. Some plants can
l. Approach grafting: a sliver of bark is cut from
stock and scion and the two are placed alongside only be obtained in this way, such as
and tied together. certain fruit trees from stones or pips,
which make most attractive bonsai.
DIFFERENT GRAFTING METHODS
A great many grafting methods are used
to unite various plants, most of them
requiring little but highly specialized
equipment: a double bladed grafting
knife with one straight and one curved
blade, raffia (for grafts which need tying)
and special mastic for grafts which do
not need tying.
The various methods described will
unite one plant to another efficiently, but
remember that grafting often leaves a
visible scar, which can spoil the appear-
2. After the graft has taken: the scion is growing in ance of a bonsai.
exactly the same line as the stock.
APPROACH GRAFTING: This is the
'gentlest' method, since the scion is not
removed from its parent until the graft
has taken. The technique is simple: re-
move a piece of bark from both scion
and stock with a grafting knife (taking
care not to damage the wood). Then
press the two against each other so the
cambium layers are in contact and tie
with raffia. Do not use mastic. If the
rings of growing tissue coincide per-
fectly, the two plants will quickly fuse.
!J Bring the two plants together when their
growth is most active, preferably in early
spring. When the graft has taken, the
plants can be separated, but not before
Cleft and crown grafts require a clean, horizontal
cut in the parent stock. Trim the newly-made cut the end of the following winter. Then cut
with a pruning knife. the stock above the join, and cut the
