Grafting - When 1+1 =1

Grafting involves the wounding of two growths and the arranging of them so they heal together.  One of the two growths is called the stock, understock or rootstock.  The host plant is rooted in the soil and provides nourishment for the other growth.  The dependent top section is called the scion.

There are five benefits of grafting.  First, it is used to propagate plants that cannot be conveniently or economically reproduced by other means.  Second, grafting makes it possible to combine certain traits like disease resistance and plentiful fruits in one plant.  Third, it can alter the appearance or behaviour of a plant, an example would be dwarfing a plant or making it bloom better.  Fourth, it can be used to repair damaged plants and put new life in old stock.  Lastly, it's possible to produce plant forms that otherwise would not exist.