Grafting is an agricultural practice in which two plants are joined together to improve plant characteristics or produce higher-quality yields. Olive trees are among the fruit trees commonly grafted. In this article, we discuss the ideal time to graft olive trees, the reasons for grafting, and the main grafting methods used.
Best Times for Grafting Olive Trees
Olive trees can be grafted during three main seasons, each with its own characteristics:
1. Spring Grafting
Spring grafting is the most common method for olive trees.
- Best time: April to June
- Why it is preferred:
- Olive buds are mature and active during this period.
- The bark separates easily from the wood, making the grafting process smoother and more successful.
2. Fall Grafting (“Dormant Bud Grafting”)
Fall grafting is also known as “dormant eye grafting” because the buds remain inactive until the following spring.
- Best time: September to October
3. Winter Grafting
Winter grafting is used mainly for old olive trees when the goal is to change the tree’s variety.
- Grafting method: Cleft grafting
- Best time: From the beginning of dormancy until the start of sap flow (September to late February)
Methods of Grafting Olive Trees
Here are the most common olive grafting techniques:
1. Whip and Tongue Grafting
This method is suitable for adding several olive varieties to existing trees in home gardens.
- The scion and rootstock must have equal or nearly equal diameters—about the thickness of a pencil.
2. Cleft Grafting
Also known as “pen grafting”, this technique involves inserting a small scion into a much thicker rootstock.
- Ideal for old trees
- Useful for producing desirable olive varieties on established root systems.
3. Bark Grafting
Used when the rootstock is large in diameter, making other grafting methods unsuitable.
- Applied when the grower prefers not to split the rootstock.
4. Approach Grafting (Inarching)
In this method, the scion and rootstock come from two independent olive trees growing side by side.
- The scion remains attached to the parent tree until after successful union with the rootstock.
Note
- The scion is the living piece taken from a plant to be grafted onto another.
- The rootstock is the plant that receives the scion.
Why Olive Trees Are Grafted
The main benefits of grafting olive trees include:
1. Enhancing Tree Characteristics
Grafting helps produce olive trees with:
- Higher oil productivity
- Better disease resistance
2. Establishing New Olive Orchards Faster
Grafting accelerates the creation of productive olive orchards—allowing growers to start harvesting high-quality olives in just a few years.
3. Conserving Rare Olive Varieties
Grafting protects and preserves endangered or rare olive cultivars, ensuring their survival and continuous production of premium olive oil.
