Loquat tree Oliver, grafted (Eriobotrya japonica)

Q: What is a grafted plant?

A: Grafting is a method of vegetative (or asexual) propagation where a piece of one plant (scion) selected for its flowers or fruit and containing the desired genes to be duplicated is inserted into a piece of another plant (rootstock), with a strong vigorous root system, usually a seedling.

Benefits of the graft:

• - making a clone of the parent plant ensures the same cultivar, since most fruit trees will not come true to seed
• - taking a scion from a mature plant reduces time to flowering and fruiting (from 10-12 years for a seedling to 2-3 years or less for a grafted plant)
• - introducing dwarfing, hardiness, disease and pest resistance.
• - easier propagation method when other means like cutting or seed is not successful