How to Graft and Collar a Tomato

Locate a tomato variety that is labeled as disease-resistant and optimally heat-tolerant to use as the roots of the graft. Look for a seedling that has a long stem that is approximately 0.08 inches in diameter.

Locate a tomato variety that produces the type of fruit you want with regard to shape, color, size or flavor. The plant should have a stem diameter of approximately 0.08 inches to match the root stock stem.

Cut off all but the top set of leaves on the plant that will be the upper portion of the graft. You can pull these leaves off with your fingers or cut them using hand pruners. Cut the stem of this plant off 0.25 inches below the remaining leaf set using the hand pruners. Make the cut at a 60-degree angle.

Trace the rootstock tomato plant stem down to 0.25 inches below the top set of leaves and cut it off using the hand pruners. Make the cut at a 60-degree angle and discard the trimmed portions.

Pick up a clear plastic grafting tube, available at plant nurseries, and slide it halfway down the stem of the rootstock plant.

Insert the upper graft stem into the top portion of the grafting tube and turn it so the cut on the stem matches the angle of the rootstock. Push the stem down gently until both stems touch completely.

Water the soil around the rootstock plant immediately until it is saturated.

Cut an empty toilet paper roll in half to shorten it, thus creating a collar. Slide it over the top of the tomato plant stem and push it into the soil until it is buried by at least 1 inch.