How to Care for Plant Grafts

Place a grafted plant in a shady location. Shade prevents direct sun from drying out the plant or burning its leaves while the graft connects to the parent plant.

If the plant is in the ground, insert wooden stakes into the ground around it to form a square. When in the ground, the stakes should be at least 6 inches taller than the plant. Drape a tarp over the top of the stakes to shield the plant from sunlight.

Fill a spray bottle with water, and at least once each day lightly mist the top of the plant above the graft until its leaves and stem are wet but not dripping. Continue this misting process until you see new growth on the grafted portion. Until the stems connect, the upper graft has no way to obtain moisture from the main trunk.

Examine the plant two to three weeks after grafting to check the point where the stem and parent plant meet. If the wax seal applied to the cut portions is dry and cracked, apply a thin layer of grafting wax to fill in the cracks and prevent moisture loss from the stem.

Monitor the graft at least once per week for new growth, which may be buds, leaves or a lengthening of the stem. When you see any sign of new growth, cut the string or grafting tape with scissors to prevent it from constricting the stem. Otherwise, it would cut off water flow and kill the graft.