ABSTRACT
Choice of rootstocks for Magnolia bench grafting is clearly a contentious issue and the choice of suitable types may vary considerably by location, climate, soil conditions and root disease pressure. Rootstocks will require drying-off because Magnolia exhibits some root pressure problems. Grafters using dormant material usually adopt the splice rather than side graft. There appears little possibility of incompatibility causing problems when making choices for Magnolia rootstocks. Grafters must make their own decisions on likely suitable combinations; indications are that it may be wise to ensure some M. obovata rootstocks are available for use for some species and hybrids within subgenus Magnolia. Two major times during which grafting can take place are winter/early spring and mid-/late summer to early autumn. Warm callusing in summer/early autumn invariably produced better results than the late winter/early spring period. For summer grafted deciduous species, opinions are divided on whether to remove or retain scion leaves.
