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Exploration B Handoutfor Frankenplants

Introduction: The grafting between two plants can be achieved in a number of different ways as long as the diameters of the rootstock and scion stem are the same.

Part One: Identify the advantages and disadvantages for each of the following graft types:

Top Grafts: In this method the scion is put on top of the rootstock and held together by a grafting clip. Top grafts can either be achieved by cutting both the rootstock and scion horizontally or by cutting them vertically at a 45° angle. Each cut can be made either above or below the cotyledons.

Figure 1: Horizontal top graft above the cotyledons.

Figure 2: Vertical top cut below the cotyledons.

Apical or Cleft Graft: In this method the scion is fitted to the rootstock using a wedge and v-cut.

Figure 3: Cleft graft above the cotyledons.

Tongue or Side Graft: In this method both plants are transported side-by-side in the same container. The rootstock is cut into a wedge and a side-notch is made in the scion. The rootstock is bent and inserted into the scion and held together by a clip. After the graft takes, the scion stem is cut off below the graft.

Figure 4: Side graft above the cotyledons.

Part Two[JNG1]: Use the information presented in the data table below to analyze the effectiveness of different types of grafts.

Graft Description / Number of Grafts / Observations / Success Rate
Horizontal top graft above cotyledon / 3 / Failures often due to grafting clips being too big for stems. Hard to keep stems in place / 0
Horizontal top graft below cotyledon / 4 / Failures often due to grafting clips being too big for stems. Hard to keep stems in place. / 2/4 or 50%
Vertical top graft above cotyledon / 3 / Hard to line up vertical cuts without any gaps. Failures often due to grafting clips being just a little too big for stems. / 0
Vertical top graft below cotyledon / 2 / Hard to line up vertical cuts without any gaps. Failures often due to grafting clips being just a little too big for stems. / 1/2 or 50%
Cleft graft above cotyledon / 2 / 2 or 100%
Cleft graft below cotyledon / 3 / 2/3 or 67%
Side graft above cotyledon / 1
Side graft below cotyledon / 1

Data Analysis Questions

1. How does the type of cut affect the graft?

2. How does the placement of the cut affect the graft?

3. Which type of graft do you think was most success and why?

4. Which type of graft do you think was least success and why?

5. What other data could be collected to help determine the success of each graft?

[JNG1]Missing data below.