ABSTRACT
The question of graft compatibility, the ability to form a permanent union, remains a primary cause for bias against the use of grafts. Concern is that the combination will fail at some point, either soon after grafting, when the grafter’s efforts are wasted, or at some point later, when the problem becomes that of the recipient. The first sign of likely failure due to incompatibility often occurs at the grafting stage or within the first two years of grafting, usually as a poor take despite good material, good technique and suitable environment. Ideally the path ahead would be to identify and vegetatively propagate compatible rootstocks for the range of ornamental species, as has been done for many fruit and nut crops. This seems an unlikely prospect for the foreseeable future, mainly because of the vast number of species involved. Hybrid seedlings may be used as rootstocks to provide further opportunities for overcoming incompatibility.
