Introduction

Tomato plants are one of the most widely grown plants in the world. They are grown for their juicy, nutritious and delicious fruits. Tomato plants can be grown both indoors and outdoors. However, sometimes we need to improve the hardiness, vigor or disease resistance of the existing tomato plant. This is where grafting comes in.

What is Grafting?

Grafting is an age-old horticultural technique that involves joining one plant part onto another plant. This technique is used to propagate plants, improve growth rate or even to repair damaged plants. Grafting is done by attaching a scion of one plant onto a rootstock of another plant. This creates a new plant that has the desirable characteristics of both the scion and the rootstock.

What are the Benefits of Grafting a Tomato Plant?

Grafting a tomato plant has several benefits. Firstly, it can improve the plant's hardiness and resistance to soil-borne diseases. Secondly, it can increase the plant's yield and fruit quality. The grafting process can also save time and space.

What Can You Graft a Tomato Plant?

Several plants can be used as rootstocks for grafting a tomato plant. Some popular rootstocks include:

Vigorous Tomato Rootstock: This rootstock is commonly used because of its ability to grow fast and produce a large root system. It provides excellent resistance to soil-borne diseases such as fusarium, verticillium wilt and nematodes.

Eggplant Rootstock: Eggplant rootstock is ideal for grafting tomato plants because of its ability to withstand drought and provide the plant with better nutrient uptake. It can also help tomato plants resist common diseases such as bacterial wilt and nematodes.

Tobacco Rootstock: Tobacco rootstock is another popular choice for grafting tomato plants. It is resistant to diseases such as fusarium, verticillium wilt and nematodes. It can also improve the shelf life of tomato fruits and increase their size.

Potato Rootstock: Potato rootstock is a good choice for grafting tomato plants because of its early maturation and ability to resist soil-borne diseases. It also improves the plant's starch content and overall yield.

How to Graft a Tomato Plant?

Grafting a tomato plant requires some expertise and knowledge of the grafting process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to graft a tomato plant:

Collect tomato scions and rootstock plants.

Cut both the scion and rootstock on a slant to create an angled cut.

Join the two plant parts by fitting the angled surfaces together.

Secure the two plant parts together with a grafting clip or tape.

Place the newly grafted plant in a growing medium with high humidity levels.

After a few weeks, remove the clip or tape and allow the plants to grow.

Conclusion

Grafting a tomato plant can have several benefits such as improving hardiness, increasing yield and improving fruit quality. Several plants can be used as rootstocks for grafting tomato plants such as tobacco, eggplant and potato. Grafting a tomato plant requires some expertise and knowledge of the grafting process. So, why not try your hand at grafting your own tomato plant today?