ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the principles and practice involved in providing the required environment during the formation of a graft union. The major environmental factors for plant growth and graft development are considered to be light, temperature and water. The atmosphere surrounding the graft and its potential influence on water loss is crucial. A major factor in preventing this loss is humidity. From the grafter’s perspective, the major effect of light is to raise air temperature, resulting in a lowering of atmospheric humidity and increasing potential water loss. Because ventilation can result in an unacceptable loss of humidity, shade is the only option for temperature control for most grafts during early stages of graft development. Used in conjunction with enclosed environments, such as poly-tents, extra shade can be applied selectively to provide specific control of temperature and humidity.
