What is the Difference Between Grafting and Propagation

Grafting is a horticultural method in which two or more plants are combined together so that they can keep on growing together, while propagation is the process of growing new plants from seeds or from plants already in existence. You can propagate your plants in two ways.

• Methods guided by humans
• Natural reproduction

People use the terms grafting and propagation in each other’s place, but they are different. Let's talk about some of the differences between them so you can select one for your plants. 

How Does Plant Propagation Occur

Plant propagation can occur in two ways.

• Through a natural process without any human contribution
• Using particular gardening methods

Plants propagate in forests through: 

• Dropped seeds
• Underground rhizomes
• Spreading roots
• Stems that touch the soil and create roots

Gardeners can easily understand the techniques used to direct these natural processes in a dependable and controlled way.

How Does Grafting Occur

Grafting is done at a particular time when the climate and the physiological stage of plant growth are ideal. The timing relies on the methods used and the plant species.

The purpose of grafting is to protect and sustain our favourite cultivars, but it also has other advantages such as:

• Resolving problems with the soil environment
• Developing a smaller tree
• Replacing the current plant varieties with more disease-tolerant or effective ones
• Creating specific plant forms

When Should You Use Propagation

You should choose propagation when you:

• Want an exact copy of a plant you already own
• Are a beginner and looking for an affordable and convenient option
• Need lots of new plants quickly, such as herbs or houseplants
• Like to share or swap plants with friends
• Plant roots easily from cuttings or layering

When Should You Use Grafting

You should choose grafting when you:

• Want a tougher root system that resists disease or poor soil
• Wish to grow two varieties on one tree
• Want to control the final size of a fruit tree
• The existing plant does not grow into a plant just like the parent plant
• Plant has weak roots of its own

Grafting vs Propagation: Key Differences

FAQs

Can any two plants be grafted together?

No. The plants need to be closely related, usually from the same species or genus. For example, an apple scion will only grow on an apple rootstock. 

Do grafted trees fruit faster than trees grown from seed?

Yes, they usually do. The scion comes from a mature tree, so it is ready to produce fruit much sooner. An apple grown from seed can take close to a decade to bear anything, and the fruit may disappoint you.

Can I grow plants from seed instead?

Of course. Seed is the oldest form of propagation. The only problem is that seedlings vary, so you will not always get a copy of the parent. You can do that with cabbages or marigolds, but not with fruit trees.

Buy Your Plants to Propagate or Graft from Gulab.pk

Propagation is the big category that covers every way of making new plants. Grafting is the method that comes under propagation. You should try it if you want to merge two plants to make them one.

Start with a cutting if you want an easy win. Try a graft when you are curious about growing a favorite fruit tree. If you wish to start experimenting with plant propagation, Gulab.pk is a trusted online nursery where you can find a huge variety of seeds and plants.