This technique is commonly used to propagate a range of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and is usually carried out on potted rootstock.

Method

1. The rootstock should be a 1-3 year old seedling, with a stem of approximately pencil-thickness. It is cut back to 30 cm (12 in), and then a sliver of wood is removed from the stem. This is done by making a small cut at an angle of 45° towards the base of the stem approximately 8 cm (3 in) above soil level. A second cut is made 2.5-4 cm (1- 1 1/2 in) above the first cut, then sliced downwards to meet the bottom of the first incision.
2. The scion should be a one year old vigorous shoot with some mature wood, of similar diameter to the stock. It is trimmed to about 15-20 cm (5-8 in). A sloping cut of 2.5-4 cm (1- 1 1/2 in) is made at the base of the scion, with a small angled cut on the other side, so that it matches the shape cut into the stock.
3. The scion and the rootstock are then placed together and bound into position using clear plastic tape.
4. The grafted plant is then placed in a propagator at 10-15°C (50-59°F).
5. The tape may be removed when the two pieces have successfully grafted (usually after about five weeks), and the newly formed plant gradually hardened off.