How to Graft a Watermelon Plant

Top Grafting

• 1

  Select two seedlings, one watermelon and the other rootstock, that are about the same size.

• 2

  Locate the first joint where two true leaves emerge on the rootstock seedling. Cut downward with a sharp knife or razor, cutting away one leaf and the growth point in the crux of the leaves. One leaf on the rootstock should remain.

• 3

  Sever the stem of the watermelon seedling at an angle.

• 4

  Line up the two seedling stems so that the cuts are facing each other. Apply a grafting clip or grafting sleeve to hold the cut surfaces against each other.

• 5

  Re-pot the newly grafted seedling and put it in a place that offers very high humidity and a lot of shade. Allow the graft to heal for up to a week.

Side Grafting

• 6

  Make a slit along the stem of the rootstock seedling large enough to admit the stem of the watermelon seedling.

• 7

  Slice the stem of the watermelon seedling at a downward angle, cutting the bottom of the stem away.

• 8

  Place the cut end of the watermelon seedling into the slit made in the rootstock seedling.

• 9

  Secure the graft with a grafting clip or sleeve, re-pot the plant and put it in a humid and well-shaded environment.

• 10

  Remove the rootstock above the graft once the graft has healed, in about five days.