Abstract: A grafting film is provided which is formed of a film of a polyalkylene polymer having a self-adhesive property and an elastic memory which causes the film when stretched around a scion and rootstock graft union to gradually contract around the graft union and apply an increasing amount of pressure circumferentially around the graft union. The film also has oxygen and CO.sub.2 permeability properties which cause a gas volume isolated by the film adjacent the graft union to have a higher CO.sub.2 concentration and a lower oxygen concentration relative to the ambient environment around the plant. The film preferably has at least 12% oxygen permeability and less than 3% CO.sub.2 retention. The film is preferably less than about 60 .mu.m thick and more preferably less than about 50 .mu.m thick.

Abstract: Grafting a scion on a stock is effected by opening a chuck and inserting bar-like members in a storage chamber successively into the chuck with the front end of such bar-like members protruding out of a front end hole 5D, 105D, closing the chuck 4, 104 to thereby hold the bar-like member 2, inserting the front end of the protruding bar-like member 2 into a graft joint end of the stock, separating the grafting device from the bar-like member, and inserting the other end of the bar-like member into a graft joint end of the scion so as to abut the graft joint ends of the stock and scion against each other. The bar-like member can be simply and rapidly inserted into the stock, so that abutment between the stock and scion can be effected with extreme ease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing potato tubers comprising grafting a potato plant as a scion on a solanaceous plant as a stock and culturing the resultant graft plant by hydroponics to thereby form tubers on the aerial part of the graft plant. By the method of the invention, decrease in the ratio of disease infection in tubers as well as reduction of working hours and work intensity are intended.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for reducing contamination of in vitro cultures. In particular, this invention relates to a method for reducing contamination of in vitro cultures of woody plant mature shoot material and shoot material of outdoor origin.

Abstract: A grafting method for uniting a scion to a stock includes forming conical projection on either a lower portion of a scion or an upper portion of a stock, forming a conical recess on either a lower portion of a scion or an upper portion of a stock, and joining the conical projection in the conical recess to unite the scion to the stock. A grafting apparatus includes a holder for holding either a scion or a stock, a die member having a conical hole into which either a scion or a stock is inserted, a cutting blade member arranged and movable along a generatrix of the conical hole, a ultrasonic drive device for moving the cutting blade member upward and downward at a ultrasonic high speed, a rotating drive device for rendering a relative rotation between the holder and the cutting blade member, and an elevating drive device for rendering a relative movement between the holder and the die member.

Abstract: Device for Vee-grafting, especially for hard-and-stone-fruit trees, with an angled knife (8) for cutting a groove (K) in the stock (10) arranged to move in an outer part (2), formed as a guide space by means of a toggle lever (31, 32, 33), which is inclined in relation to the axis of the stock, characterized in that there is an inner part (3) moveable inside the outer part (2) in the forward region (3') or front end of which is fitted the knife (8) and in the rear region (3") of which there is an aperture (7) for the scion (12) and where the outer part (2) has an aperture (4) in its forward region (2') for the stock (10) and in its rear region (2") an aperture (5) which can be caused to coincide with the aperture (7) in the inner part (3) and has an angled knife (6) at the forward edge.

Abstract: A grafting method for uniting a scion to a stock includes forming a conical projection on either a lower portion of a scion or an upper portion of a stock, forming a conical recess on either a lower portion of a scion or an upper portion of a stock, and joining the conical projection in the conical recess to unite the scion to the stock. A grafting apparatus includes a holder for holding either a scion or a stock, a die member having a conical hole into which either a scion or a stock is inserted, a cutting blade member arranged and movable along a generatrix of the conical hole, a ultrasonic drive device for moving the cutting blade member upward and downward at a ultrasonic high speed, a rotating drive device for rendering a relative rotation between the holder and the cutting blade member, and an elevating drive device for rendering a relative movement between the holder and the die member.

Abstract: There is disclosed an immature plant grafting apparatus capable of seizing en bloc a plurality of saplings raised in array irrespective of a scatter in diameters of stems without requiring hand works and damaging the saplings and of grafting the saplings at a remarkably high efficiency but at low costs. The grafting apparatus has a plurality of induction plates (9a and 9b) formed with a plurality of induction grooves (10) open to seizing surfaces, corresponding to the number of saplings (3a and 3b) to be seized and their positions, induction plates so attached to upper and lower surfaces of one of a pair of seizing devices (4 and 5) as to protrude from the seizing surfaces, and buffer members (13) projecting from the seizing surfaces of the other seizing device so that each buffer member is fitted in between the pair of induction plates.

Abstract: A technique and equipment for grafting are disclosed. The technique involves forming a wedge on a scion, forming a cleft or side cut in rootstock, forming a union with the scion and rootstock, binding the union with budding strips, and coating the wrapped union with liquid paraffin wax. Clothespin type clamps are advantageously employed to releasably close the cleft, prior to forming the union, and for securing the union during binding. Grafting tools are provided in a grafting tool kit and include a knife, budding strips, paraffin wax, a brush, a metal cup, hand pruners, whet rocks and honing oil, alcohol and paper towels, and clothespins. The paraffin wax is applied to the bound union in a clear liquid state at 175.degree.-200.degree. F., and preferably at an ambient temperature of at least 38.degree. F. and less than 15 mph winds.

Abstract: A tool for obliquely severing flower stems comprises a housing having a passage for inserting thereinto a flower stem to be severed, and a cutting blade extending between the opposing side walls of the passage. The cutting edge of the cutting blade is directed in the inserting direction and obliquely towards a bottom wall of the housing. A spring blade is mounted to the bottom wall of the housing. The cutting blade is mounted relative to the spring blade in such a way that the cutting blade and the spring blade are at a minimum distance from each other in a non-use condition but are permitted to be pushed apart against the action of a slight force of the spring blade when a stem to be severed is inserted into the passage.

Abstract: Starting from a herbaceous cutting, which may be derived from in vitro culture, of stock and of a herbaceous scion, the process consists of inserting the scion (12') having a single bud, into the stock cutting (12), by bevelling the lower end 15 of the scion 12' from two sides 17, 18, by slitting the upper end of the stock cutting in its middle, and by subsequently assembling the two parts 12, 12' by joining 20, of transferring the base of the abovementioned grafted unit into a development medium 21, of moistening the development medium 21 with a nutrient solution and of subsequently placing this unit in a container with a water-saturated atmosphere and at a temperature above 20.degree. C., while suppressing the bud 22 of the stock and growing the saplings in the greenhouse or under a polyethylene tunnel until the desired stage of growth.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for making grafting-flap cuts in the bark of a tree limb includes an elongated tubular body having an open end for accommodating coaxial insertion of the limb. The end of the body adjacent the open end has a plurality of elongated slots longitudinally disposed in the tubular body. A plug within the tubular body limits the insertion depth of the limb to a preselected distance. A plurality of elongated knife members are provided. The longitudinal axis of each of the knife members registers with the longitudinal axis of one of the circumferentially spaced slots in said tubular body. The knife members are supported by a support ring radially projecting above the outer surface of the tubular body and are disposed in a corresponding plurality of radially projecting circumferentially equally-spaced slots in the support ring.

Abstract: The grafting machine comprises two assemblies, namely a top assembly 4 and a bottom assembly 3, mounted on two guide columns 2 joined at the bottom to a base 21 and at the top to a brace 5; the top assembly 4 has a scraper blade 12 associated with a cutter blade 14 for the stock, which is inserted into a centering V 8 situated at the top of the bottom assembly 3, which in its bottom part has two cutter blades 9 which, on the operation of the machine, are applied against a scion support 6 in which a scion is received in a central groove 16, the scion support being disposed on the base 21 together with a locking stop 7 facing it, one on each side of the two guide columns 2.

Abstract: A technique is described by which plant growth characters are altered in poinsettias. In particular, the branching characteristics of restricted branching cultivars are altered by grafting their scions onto understock plants which are free branching. Stem diameters, internode lengths, number of cuttings, leaf morphology and dates of flowering are altered as the new scion grows after the graft has become established and consequently new cultivars are created by growing cuttings from the new scion. These changes, as a result of these graft unions, are permanent over many generations of the new cultivar and these changes are uniform among the new plants.

Abstract: A cutting device particularly for use in grafting operations involving vines, plants and trees, having lever means (10,11) pivoted at (12) and coupled to a blade mount, the blades (22) of which co-operating with an anvil (25). A guide means (29) locates the vine, rootstock or the like over anvil (25). Movement of levers (10,11) toward each other causes blades (22) to pass downwardly and thus cut, with a shearing action, the vine, rootstock or the like, to form, in the example shown, a V-shaped notch, the other cut out portion of the vine having a V-shaped end. A suitable graft which has been previously cut out with the device is placed in the notch and bound in a conventional manner.

Abstract: The engrafting machine comprises a carrying frame to which is mounted an endless apron conveyor with measuring clamps and a sorting device having sequently disposed calibrating cams. Underneath each cam is formed in the frame a pocket for collecting the sorted grafts and stocks. The measuring clamp is provided with a movable and an unmovable jaw. To the movable jaw is connected a lever with a control pin that is disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the calibrating cams. In the charging zone of the endless apron conveyor are provided feeding cams for opening the measuring clamps. Parallel below the endless conveyor in its charging zone is fastened an auxiliary apron conveyor with pressing elements. Sequentially in the direction of the movement are disposed an one-disk and a two-disk cutting apparatus. To the carrying frame is mounted further an engrafting apparatus.The described machine is used in the preparation of vine planting material in the agriculture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting tool for manual grafting comprising a cutting element (1) with curved surface, a locating element (3) guided in a cutting direction (i) against the cutting element (1) for locating a plant part to be grafted and means for guiding the locating element (3) and fitting the cutting element (1), wherein the cutting element (1) on its convex surface is equipped with an edge and the cutting element (1) is shaped on the concave side under a relief angle (.beta.) in the range from 0.5.degree. to 3.degree., and on the convex side under a back slope (.alpha..sub.1) in the range from 0.75.degree. to 5.degree., both related to the cutting direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel propagated apple trees having increased vole resistance and to methods for propagating such trees; and relates in one aspect to an apple tree having a vole-resistant rootstock and having growing thereon a desired apple bearing scion. In a preferred embodiment, the vole-resistant rootstock has a characteristic modifying distinct interstem interposed between the apple bearing scion and the rootstock. In another embodiment of the invention, the stocksystem is a composite stocksystem wherein a portion of the stocksystem is of a variety (seedling or other rootstock) distinct from the vole-resistant stock and wherein the portion of the rootstock above ground and to which the scion or interstem is grafted, comprises the novel vole-resistant stock. The nature of the companion rootstock is not critical and any compatible rootstock such as those already known in the art, for example, from "Delicious seedlings" can be employed.

Abstract: Vegetation stem cutting apparatus comprises(a) elongated tongs which are interconnected at a pivot,(b) a table carried by one tong proximate the end thereof,(c) and a knife carried by the other tong to close toward the table when the tongs are pivoted to cut the stem placed on the table,(d) the knife extending at a substantial angle relative to a normal to the table when the knife edge is closed into proximity to the table.

Abstract: A hand tool for use in performing manual agricultural grafting, comprises a fixed and a movable handle pivotally connected to each other and having working portions extending beyond the pivot. A coil tension spring connects the first handle to the working portion of the second handle thereby tending to spread the handles apart. The spring is connected to the same point on the working portion of the second handle as is pivotally connected to one end of an arm whose other end is pivotally connected to a positioning fork that locates the stock to be cut. The positioning device slides in a groove on the working portion of the first handle toward and away from a cutting edge carried by the working portion of the first handle.

Abstract: The hot-callusing method and apparatus of the invention direct heat to the graft union area of plants or trees to accelerate the callusing of the stock and scion while leaving the remaining plant parts unheated. The apparatus comprises a tube having openings of sufficient size to at least partially enclose the area of the graft union to be callused and to confine heat in said area and a means for providing heat to the graft union area.

Abstract: A flower stem cutter for an individual flower includes a liquid filled jar having a cover releasably attached. The liquid includes any antibacterial agent and feed. A flower stem guide is secured to a diametrical slot in the cover and projects inwardly into the liquid. The guide is triangular U-shaped unit defining a base wall in spaced relation to the opposite jar wall. The vertical edge of the guide sidewall projects inwardly. A guillotine cutting unit includes a cutting support blade secured to the lower inner end of the guide and a guillotine blade secured to a shaft journaled in the cover, with the guillotine blade abutting the edges of the U-shaped guide. The guillotine blade is resiliently supported on a shaft journaled in the cover for movement past the support blade to sever the stem under the protective liquid. The shaft is manually operated or connected to a small solenoid on the top of the cover.

Abstract: An improved rose plant propagation process which can be carried out on an expeditious basis is provided. Stem segments from a scion rose plant and an understock rose plant are obtained during an active stage of growth. An end of a scion segment is placed into a cut formed in an understock segment, and an end portion of the understock segment is placed in a rooting medium. Roots simultaneously are formed on the understock segment while a graft union between the scion and understock rose plant stem segments is formed. The portion of the understock stem above the graft union next is removed. The process of the present invention offers a reliable rose plant propagation technique not heretofore available to the rose industry whereby quality new rose plants readily can be formed on an economical basis in a significantly shorter period of time than commonly required for prior rose plant propagation techniques.

Abstract: A planter is comprised of a living plant, such as an osmunda fern and the like, having a large porous and fibrous root, and at least one hole formed in the root of the living plant for receiving the roots of a diverse live plant, the fibrous root of the living plant being capable of absorbing and retaining water and nutrients for sustaining the life of the diverse live plant. The fibrous root of the living plant is preferably potted within a container which encompasses the root leaving an intermediate space between the container walls and the root which is filled with peat, or other humus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making improved grafting joints between plant components, particularly woody plants. Selected plant materials may be grafted one upon another by cutting out two diametrically opposed, longitudinally diagonal sectors from each end of the plant parts to be joined. The sectors are of equal length on each plant part and are joined by slipping the sectored end of one plant part into the cooperating sectored end of the other plant part so that the parts interlock. The joint is then enveloped by tape or the like to seal the joint.Hand tools and semi-automatic machinery are disclosed for sectoring plants in a single operation and include radial cutting elements arranged perpendicularly to one another and adapted to make four simultaneous slits lengthwise and diagonally along the plant simultaneously removing the waste slit sectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making improved grafting joints between plant components, particularly woody plants. Selected plant materials may be grafted one upon another by cutting out two diametrically opposed longitudinal 90.degree. sectors from each end of the plant parts to be joined. The sectors are of equal length on each plant part and are joined by slipping the sectored end of one plant part into the cooperating sectored end of the other plant part so that the parts interlock. The joint is then enveloped by tape or the like to seal the joint.Tools for making uniform, repeatable grafting cuts are disclosed, including a simple gauge block with an integral cutter. The tool includes a socket bisected by a blade for making a cut of uniform depth lengthwise down the center of the plant and at least one gauging groove having a transverse cutting edge to make the transverse cut to remove the sector from the slit plant.

Abstract: The method of root stock propagation involves positioning a collar loosely about a root stock grown from a bud grafted to a seedling wherein the bud is from a clone having desired characteristics. A fruiting scion may be grafted to the root stock such that after controlled growth, the seedling, root stock, collar and fruiting scion if attached, may be transplanted as a body. The root stock grows to a size inside the collar causing the collar to gradually constrict flow of nutrients to the seedling and promotes rooting of the root stock itself while gradually destroying its vascular connection to the seedling. The seedling finally disintegrates and there is left a properly rooted plant having the desired characteristics determined by the bud from the clone.

Abstract: A device for grafting plant scion to plant stock, especially of grapevine, where a vertically movable thin cutter blade attached to a foot-operable or mechanically operable carriage has an omega-shaped cutting profile which produces interlocking tooth joints and whose shape is such that the upwardly returning blade retains the cut shoots thereon, thereby allowing cutting of a second shoot while the first shoot remains attached to the blade and joining both shoots by removing them at the same time. A toggle mechanism operates the removal of the two shoots after every second cutting cycle.

Abstract: A plug is withdrawn from the wall of a living pumpkin attached to its vine. A plastic bag is introduced into the hole thus formed. Foreign matter is inserted into the bag, and the bag is tied, and pushed entirely into the pumpkin. The plug is replaced, the pumpkin grown to maturity and subsequently harvested.