Use a Mini-Greenhouse for Greater Success in Grafting

Bob G Cannon II

The use of a mini-greenhouse when grafting is not new, I first saw them used by Bill Whitman in the 1980's, but many who could use them do not. Most simply a mini-greenhouse is a plastic bag placed over the graft union. They have been proven to work on containers up to 5 gallons and larger.

Placing the healing graft inside a sealed plastic bag increases the chance of a successful union forming primarily by preventing it from drying out. The graft is also protected from excess moisture. Protection from airborne disease and insect pests is also provided. Stakes are used to keep the bag from touching the stem or any remaining leaves on the grafted plant. Lastly the temperature is stabilized somewhat through protection from wind and the trapped air within the bag. This combination of factors: higher humidity, protection from drying, reduced disease exposure, more stable temperatures, all have a synergistic effect to give grafted pieces a better chance to form a successful union.

Healing times are shortened in some cases due to the favorable conditions provided.

Make your graft in the normal way, securing the cut surfaces firmly so that they can form a union. Using this method is not a cure for poor grafting habits. Grafts may be made with rubber strips, plastic tape string or other materials. Parafilm is usually not necessary as the bag provides the same protections associated with it.


Add two or three stakes to the container spaced equidistant around the perimeter. A clear plastic bag that is long enough to reach the container is then placed over the plant and sealed to the container with plastic tree tape or string. If the bag is not long enough place the stakes close to the stem and secure the bag to the stem below the graft. Inflate the bag before placing it over the stakes and graft. Some growers believe that filling the bag with puffs of air increases the CO2 content and assists in the grafting process. The bag should not be in contact with the graft and the stakes should be placed so that it touches few, if any, of the remaining leaves. It is important that the bag be sealed and I have, on occasion, placed the stakes outside the bag and used clips to hold the bag away from the plant inside.


This even works on some trees being reworked. I watched Ron Hensley rework a grapefruit in this way. The tree was trimmed down to about 4 foot tall; this resulted in there being four main stubs. The stubs sprouted profusely and all but the best-placed 4 to 6 sprouts on each were left while the rest were pruned away. As this was a mature tree, with an active root system, the sprouts were of a good diameter and grew quickly.


When the sprouts were about 8-12 inches long they were grafted even though the wood was still relatively green. A single graft on each sprout was made using a different variety of Citrus. Since it was impractical to place a bag over the entire tree individual grafts were bagged. Nearby trees did not provide complete protection from direct sun and electrical metallic tubing (EMT) was used to support a cloth sheet to provide complete sun protection. When healed the grapefruit had become a ‘fruit cocktail' tree that bore several varieties of citrus.