Fruit Tree Grafting for Beginners

Last week I spoke about how who I plan my orchard of food producing perennials. Near the end of that video I spoke about the fact that you can increase the number of varieties you have through a process called grafting without having to plant another tree.
Today I am going to go through collecting and graft new varieties to my existing plants.

There are plenty of grafting techniques with including, Whip, Cleft, Side, Bud and Bridge graft. Before I do any grafting I like to research the techniques just to make sure I am refreshed. Sites like the University of Minnesota do a great job outlining the methods. [1]

0:37 Combination Fruit Trees
1:10 Grafting with in the Family
1:31 Definition of Rootstock and Scion wood
1:41 When the rootstock plant is ready
2:06 Scion harvest and storage
3:04 Grafting Tools
3:24 Grafting techniques
3:41 When is the best time to Graft
3:55 Cleft Graft Technique
6:07 What is a Bud Graft
6:24 Successful Graft and Time to fruiting
7:00 Benefits of grafting (fertilization, varieties, harvest time)

Check us out on Facebook:

[1] University of Minnesota Grafting Resources Site:

Related Episodes
Grow More Food with Perennial Fruit and Nut Bushes, Vines and Trees

Grow an Espalier Style Apple Tree. Perfect for Small Space Orchards

[NURNURD]

"You'll want to collect the scion wood. The best best time do do this is when..." I really thought you were going to say "the tree's owner is not home..." HAHA! :)

[Model_BT-]

Thanks for the tutorial! My new Rokakaka is about to be lit!

[onedeepmechanic]

So I can’t splice a pine tree with a apple and grow pineapples?

[crocs_n_socks]

I didn't even know you could graft trees, I just moved to a house with a huge garden with fruit trees, I hope I can find some fun in gardening!

[iLoveTurtlesHaha]

I wish this guy was my neighbor. All the beautiful trees and yummy fruits will be on his yard. XD Forget Toronto, I'm moving.

[Jackangell]

Thank you now I can graft my stolen branch in order to grow a fruit to cure my hospitalized mother of a rock illness

[creativewatercolor]

Excellent video, saving it for future reference when I have a tree to graft.

[thebridalchamber]

Stephen, your expertise and delivery was impeccable! Bless you sir!

[phxtonash]

Very neat. Your videos are getting better production value as time goes by.

[sideeyes]

I have finally reviewed your grow light videos. You did a great job at explaining frequency and kelvins. Hope all is well during the wildfires threat and your community says safe.

[TnT_FX]

I have a 20+ and 7+ year old (since planted) apple trees I pruned back. Bought 4 new apple scions to graft onto them as soon as I see the buds showing on the trees.
Red flesh, golden apple, red skinned, and yellow-pink blush. 2 eatin apples, 1 baking and 1 juice :D plus the Mac and mystery apple tree I have. Thanks for the tips.

[justkenzie]

So cool! I homeschool my son and we're learning about grafting. Just watched this from South Dakota but we're actually from Alberta so this was neat!

[shouavang]

Different varieties on one tree!? *mind blown* On a serious note, I found this video while searching "how to graft tree peonies". This was very informative and will definitely help with my search. Now to find how to find roots to graft tree peonies on to. Thank you so much!

[wiewenkoemarmangroe]

Very well done Stephen, even in Suriname I am watching your video.
Keep going on.

[ginascott]

This is the best video I have ever see on grafting. I have a orange tree that I just love but it has something wrong so I am hoping I can graft a limb to another tree !

[kata]

Thanks very much! Rabbits damaged the bark on one of my trees during the winter, but it still has life. I'm going to use that as scion wood to graft on to my other tree so that I will still have adequate pollination. I was worried that it would be a difficult process but you've made it more straightforward.

[OneYardRevolution]

Very cool, Stephen! I'd love to try some grafts on my Asian Pear next spring.

[josealvarado]

Great, man . An excellent and professional explanation of how to do the right thing and voila you got what you want. . Thanks for share your video.

[jimsmij]

Excellent video, as usual, Stephen.
I hope you, your family and friends are all safe from the wildfires! My thoughts are with our neighbors to the north at this difficult time.

[NeonRahkshi]

alright, so i basically remembered grafting exists right after the time window that's good for it xD

*very* useful video, thank you!
i'll be sure to try this out next year lol
gonna try and craft a pink flowering chimera of sorts