ABSTRACT
The vines comprise a genus of woody climbers with 60–80 species found predominately in the northern hemisphere. Grapevines are grafted using cuttings-grafts techniques. They are particularly suited to grafting by machines or tools because both rootstock and scion comprise exceptionally hard, straight and smooth wood. Green Grafting, using lighter, thinner, semi-ripe material, is carried out by manual grafting methods such as an inverted apical wedge, splice, or apical short tongue veneers. Rootstocks for Green Grafts comprise the same varieties, but handling procedures are different. Most commercial grapevine production revolves around the cuttings-graft system. Disbudding rootstock stems is essential and normally takes place at the pre-grafting stage following a period of storage. Hot water treatment shortens storage life of the rootstock stems, so it is preferable to treat after storage and before grafting. Grafting methods have been discussed, and once assembled, the grafts are either immediately packed in callusing boxes or sealed by dipping in melted wax.
