Synopses & Reviews
Grafting, uniting part of one plant with another to create a single plant, has been used as a method of propagation for thousands of years. But new techniques have been introduced in the last twenty years, and the grafting of edible plants, like tomatoes, has recently become widely used.
The Manual of Plant Grafting is an up-to-date, authoritative, and practical guide to the latest grafting techniques. It features information on the reason to graft, along with clear instructions on the formation of the graft union, the production of rootstocks, bench grafting techniques, field grafting, vegetable grafting, and cactus grafting. An A-to-Z appendix of plants features detailed information on what type of graft should be used, when it should be done, what type of root stock needs to be used, and what environment it needs to be kept in.
The Manual of Plant Grafting is a must-have guide for nursery and horticulture professionals, horticulture students, and orchard owners.
Review
“This should be on every serious gardener’s shelf.”
Dominique Browning
Review
“There has been no comprehensive book on plant grafting since Garner’s historic tome of more than 60 years ago… This new work is comprehensive and detailed. It covers every aspect of grafting from the origins of the stock and the scion to the stage of establishment as an integrated plant." The New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
Practical techniques for improved plant performance
Grafting is a long-established skill that is used to improve the performance of ornamental and productive plants. Fruit trees are grafted to control their size, willows to produce attractive weeping forms, and tomatoes and melons to enhance their disease resistance. Peter MacDonald describes the latest grafting techniques for students, professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, including information on the reasons for grafting, clear instructions on the formation of the graft union, bench grafting techniques, field grafting, vegetable grafting, and cactus grafting. An A-to-Z appendix of plants features detailed information on what type of graft should be used, when it should be done, what type of root stock needs to be used, and what environment it needs to be kept in.
Synopsis
Practical techniques for improved plant performance! This authoritative guide offers clear, step-by-step instruction on the latest grafting techniques. Propagation expert Peter MacDonald highlights the importance of choosing appropriate plant materials, making good graft cuts, and caring for the plant after the graft. He also puts current techniques in historical context, explains the science behind grafting, and includes a list of recommended techniques for over 200 plants.
About the Author
Peter T. MacDonald teaches plant propagation, nursery stock production, and garden centre management at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in Ayr. He also researches propagation techniques for industrial application. He is a former director of the International Plant Propagators’ Society and has written papers for their publications. He teaches and runs workshops for the National Trust for Scotland, School of Gardening.