How do you graft a tomato plant?

Grafting refers to the process of joining two different plant varieties to form a single plant. Tomato grafting involves the union of the rootstock from one tomato variety with the scion of another tomato variety. Grafted tomato plants are more resistant to soil-borne pests, diseases, and environmental stressors, and they produce higher yields. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to graft a tomato plant:

Step 1: Select rootstock and scion tomato varieties

Choose a variety of tomato for the rootstock that is vigorous and disease-resistant. Some good rootstock varieties to consider are Maxifort, Estamino, and Multifort. For the scion, choose a high-yielding and flavorful variety, such as beefsteak or cherry tomatoes.

Step 2: Grow seedlings

Grow the rootstock and scion tomatoes separately from seedlings. When the seedlings are about 2-3 inches tall, carefully remove them from their pots without damaging the roots, and use a sharp razor blade to slice the stem of the seedlings diagonally.

Step 3: Join the stem sections

Hold the scion stem and rootstock stem firmly and match them up in a ‘T’ shape, making sure they are the same diameter. The diagonal slice should be matched with another cut diagonal slice on the rootstock. Slice the bottom of the cut scion stem into a wedge shape and thread it into the cut of the rootstock stem. Then, tie the stem sections tightly with grafting or vinyl tape to secure them in place.

Step 4: Allow the graft to heal

Place the grafted plants in a shade spot for 2-3 days to prevent water loss until the graft heals. The plants should be kept moist throughout the healing process. After about a week, the graft union should start to fuse together, and the plants can be moved to a bright, airy location.

Step 5: Transplanting the grafted tomato plant

After one month, the grafted tomato plant should be ready to be transplanted to its final location. When transplanting, be careful not to damage the graft union. As the plant grows, it will produce fruit from the scion variety that is chosen, and the rootstock will provide disease resistance and vigor.

In conclusion, grafting is a useful technique that can produce high-quality tomato plants. By following these simple steps, any gardener can learn how to graft a tomato plant, and enjoy the benefits of vigorous growth and disease resistance.