Sturdy Solanum Scions

INTEREST IN TOMATO GRAFTING is high among gardeners these days, and grafting isn’t limited to modern hybrid plants. Heirloom tomato cultivars can benefit from being grafted onto sturdier rootstock than they naturally possess—the rootstock won’t alter the growth habit, fruit, or foliage of the plant, but it will offer more disease resistance and productivity. However, grafted plants can be expensive, and sources of grafted tomatoes are few. You can save money by learning how to graft yourself, and with a little practice, you’ll be skilled enough to graft any cultivars you wish.

There are several styles of grafting, all of which involve carefully cutting a shoot from the desired plant (called a “scion”), inserting it into a cut