Method for grafting rootstock using improved grafting film

摘要

A grafting film (22) is provided which is formed of a film (22) of a polyalkylene polymer having a self-adhesive property and an elastic memory which causes the film (22) when stretched around a scion (12) and rootstock (14) graft union (20) to gradually contract around the graft union (20) and apply an increasing amount of pressure circumferentially around the graft union (20). The film (22) also has oxygen and CO2 permeability properties which causes a gas volume isolated by the film (22) adjacent the graft union (20) to have a higher CO2 concentration and a lower oxygen concentration relative to the ambient environment around the plant. The film (22) preferably has at least 12 % oxygen permeability and less than 3 % CO2 retention. The film (22) is preferably less than about 60 mu m thick and more preferably less than about 50 mu m thick.