Grafting: Grow Two Plants as One in Your Garden

Is your garden too small for a favorite fruit tree? Or have a plant with a broken stem? An ancient gardening technique called grafting can solve both problems. Grafting joins two separate plants so they grow as a single one. It is common for fruit trees. The plants must be from the same species or a closely related group. This method combines the best qualities of each plant. For example, a gardener can attach the stem of a tasty apple variety to the roots of a smaller tree. The result is the desired fruit from a tree that fits a small space. The technique can also heal damaged plants by joining a healthy stem to a wounded one. It is a precise skill that creates what many gardeners call "horticultural magic."