Tomato Grafting History Basic Terminology Soil Borne pathogens

Tomato Grafting • History • Basic Terminology • Soil Borne pathogens • Scion • Root Stock • Top Graft • Side Graft

Why Graft? : Pros and Cons Pros: 30 -50% yield boost (RI- triple the control), more water and nutrient from soil, less irrigation, resistance to diseases. Root balls reach 4 - 6 - 10 feet wide (vs 2 -3 feet) Cons: Pain, expensive, “weird”, no difference, 30% success rate

Soil Borne Pathogens Bacterium, virus, fungus, microorganisms Fusarium races- fungus Fusarium root rot- fungus Nematodes- microscopic worms Corky root rot- fungus Tobacco mosaic virus- RNA strand virus Verticillium wilt- fungus

Scion & Rootstock: Maxifort, Beaufort Scion: Trust, Cobra, Big Beef, Arbason, cluster & heirloom

Grafting Types Top Grafting- Used on small seedlings- 2 mm Side Grafting- 2 - 3 mm size seedlings ideal Generally plants have 4 or 5 true leaves at this time. Difficult to graft if smaller then 2 mm and success rates declines as diameter increases.

Cotyledons True Leaves

Xylem: carries water Phloem: carries nutrients Cambium: vascular area

Starting Your Plants Rootstock: long thin stems, sequential seeding Start on heat mat: Humid, 85 degrees Adjust sun exposure Rootstock in 2. 5” pots Scions in 98 (128’s) over-seed rootstock by 40% to account for 80% germination rate and the fact that some rootstock unsuitable. Keep in mind success rate. • Arrange • • •

Top Grafting • Remove first set true leaves • Leave cotyledons • Cut 45 - 60 degree angle just below cotyledons • Cut rootstock at same angle just below cotyledons • Slip grafting sleeve onto rootstock and then slide scion on.

Side Grafting Diameter must be large enough for the graft (2 -3 wks) • Select plant with same diameter • Remove cotyledons and first true leaves on the scion • Make upward cut 2/3 through stem at 60 degrees (about 1 inch below cotyleons) • Cut off top of rootstock just below cotyledons. • An inch below the rootstock cut make a downward cut into the stem matching the scion cut • Insert the matching cuts and clip together • Hold two root balls together and plant into a pot, water promptly. • Side grafted roots of scion are left for 4 -5 days • Make a partial cut to wean the stem • Stabilize plant with small stakes • After 2 more days the stem to the scion root is cut all the way through.

Post-Grafting Care • Warm (80 -85) & 95% humidity • Misted to keep humidity and in shade. The leaves don’t need to be wet all the time. Plastic domes • 4 -5 days for top grafts to heal • 6 -7 days for side grafts to heal • Gradually introduce to light and open dome vents • Once moved out fully- mist to prevent wilting • Union above the soil level

Managing Plant Vigor • Remove leaves ( 10 -12) • 2 leaders- adds a load to the roots - only remove normal amt leaves. Removal below lowest cluster with fruit • Maxifort- 2 leader • Beaufort- single

Quick Tips for Success: • Expose seedling to stress prior to grafting: shorten stalk and increase tolerance • Avoid excess fertility in potting mix • Water plants well before grafting • Graft early or late in the day to avoid water stress- cloudy day • Cut graft one at a time as you go • Always match diameters and make good contact