Hypocotyl grafting

Hypocotyl grafting [ Horticulture]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

A grafting technique used to join a very small growing apex excised from a juvenile seedlings (Epicotyl explant) onto a hypocotyl portion of the stem (sliced below the cotyledons) of an equally small seedling.

Hypocotyl grafting of cacti: Some rare species of cacti find hard to grow in cultivation because it is very difficult to provide the appropriate growing conditions and after a short time they die. This is a serious problem with some species characterized by extreme root-rot sensitivity. The solution was found in grafting the sensitive scion on a rot-resistant stock
Epicotyl grafting is a sophisticated technique used for changing the root system of a susceptible seedlings with the root system of a strong, easy to cultivate and resistant species. To achieve this it is required to excise the seedling apex ((The Epicotyl explant) from just above the cotyledons or immediately below and graft it on an equally only few weeks old seedlings (the hypocotyl stock) deprived of the epicotyl portion and sliced just below the cotyledons.
To do this work (since young cactus seedlings are very small, sometime less than 1 mm) it is necessary a binocular magnifying-glass, a razor blade and a quiet hand! In 24 hours grafting is perfect and some weeks later plants shows a speedy growing. As the grafting cut is made in the hypocotyl tissue (under the cotyledons), this root changing is called "Hypocotyl grafting”
The result of this hypocotyl-grafting is an expedited and healthy growth, soon flowering of the plants - certainly caused by the strong growing root system. The plants look very natural and nobody has the impression, that they are grafted. Hypocotyl grafted plants are also long living and are of easy cultivation.

A Special Thanks to all Those Who help us to make this web site
with their photo, time, comments.

The photos in this site are subject to copyright. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of CACTUS ART nursery and the original photographer.