How to Graft Kiwi

Whip Grafting

• 1

  Select a scion and rootstock that are no more than 1/2-inch in diameter and that are roughly equal in size. Choose scions during the dormant season from the previous year's shoots. Avoid cold, damaged or frozen wood. Bundle the scion wood cuttings and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Place the scion bundle in a plastic bag in the refrigerator until you're ready to graft them.

• 2

  Cut the bottom off of the stored scion wood before proceeding. Make a cut into the lower end of the scion that is about 1-1/2 inches long and at an acute angle of about 20 degrees. Make a corresponding cut on top of the rootstock so that the two cut sides can be placed together tightly.

• 3

  Carefully place the cut sides together, so the cambium layers are in contact. Take care not to touch the cut sides or get any debris between the two pieces. Wrap the graft with grafting tape tightly so that the edges slightly overlap.

Chip Budding

• 4

  Select a rootstock with at least a 1/2-inch diameter stem. Choose a budwood that's roughly the same diameter as the rootstock from the current season's growth. Cut budwood that's vigorous and has a terminal bud, leaving a 1/2-inch section of petiole at the base. Trim all leaves from the budwood.

• 5

  Remove all leaves, buds and branches from the bottom 4 to 6 inches of the rootstock. Make a cut about 4 inches from the ground on the rootstock that is 1/5 to 1/4 the depth of the rootstock and no more than 1-1/2 inches long. Cut the rootstock so that there's a small backcut to help hold the budwood in place. Cut the base of the budwood to correspond with the cut you've made in to the rootstock.

• 6

  Place the budwood inside the cut on the rootstock. Match the cambia of the stock to the budwood as best as possible if the rootstock and budwood are of different diameters. Wrap the graft with polyethylene tape, leaving the protruding branch of the budwood uncovered. Remove the tape when the bud shows sign of growth to prevent girdling.