A bench grafting method where identical sloping cuts are made on both the rootstock and the scion, followed by a secondary vertical cut to create interlocking tongues. This geometry maximizes the surface area for the cambium layers to align and mechanically locks the two pieces together. It is widely used in orchards for propagating fruit trees due to its high success rate and strong structural union.
I spent the winter tongue grafting apple scions onto dwarfing rootstocks in the greenhouse.
Also heard as
- whip and tongue grafting
Related terms
Graft
A piece of living plant tissue attached to another plant to grow together as one.
Cleft grafting
A propagation technique where a small scion is inserted into a split cut in a larger rootstock.
Rind grafting
A grafting method where a small scion is slipped under the bark of a larger rootstock.
Rootstock
The lower underground portion of a grafted plant that provides the root system.