When to Graft a Peach Tree?

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By Larry Amon
eHow Contributing Writer

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Grafting is the process of taking part of one tree or plant and attaching it to another one. Peach trees are either grafted to add more varieties of peaches to one tree or to extend the growing season of a tree. Growing a peach directly from a pit does not yield exactly the same plant as the original tree.

When to Graft

The part of the tree that is to be grafted should be taken while the plant is dormant. You may want to take the cutting in early winter, but it is best to wait until late winter, unless you are experiencing an unusually mild late winter. The less storage time for the cutting, the better. Storage can lead to mold, rot and other problems. Graft the cutting from the old tree onto the new tree in early spring when the plant is coming out of dormancy but before budding takes place. Grafting works better when the weather is mild.

How to Graft

Cut a fresh shoot about 3 to 4 inches long with a bud or two on it during the dormancy period. Make a long, sloping cut an inch or two long onto the new plant. This should be about a half foot from the ground. About a third of the way down the cut, make a half inch deep cut straight down. Make the same types of cuts on the piece you are attaching. Fit the two plants together, wrap with twine and cover with grafting wax.