Ok, this is my method of cleft grafting. Some people like to cleft graft using a plastic bag over the graft, but I find it is much easier to use parafilm. The buds will push right through the parafilm when they start to flush.

Start with selecting a budstick you want to use. In this case I'm using a Key lime.



I like to use the large nail clippers to remove the thorns and leaves, as it makes a clean cut without tearing the budwood like a knife can do.

Clip all the thorns and leaves off, then cut the budstick down to 4 or 5 buds.



Now your going to cut the bottom of the stick on both sides to a sharp V.

Now your going to wrap the budstick from the bottom up, leaving the V exposed.



You can leave some of the buds exposed, but make sure you wrap evenly to keep the budstick from drying out. Once you get to the top go a little past and twist the parafilm tight at the top to keep water from getting in.

Now cut the rootstock where you want it.



Next make a clean cut down the center of the rootstock.

You only want to cut down about the same distance as the V you cut on the budstick. Use the knife to gently twist the cut in the rootstock open so you can slide the budstick in.



Now insert the budstick into the cut and push it down to make sure it is making good contact. The budstick does not have to be as large as the rootstock, but you must make sure one side of the budstick cambium is matched to the cambium of the rootstock.

Now wrap the union tightly with parafilm making sure to make a water tight seal.



Completed cleft graft. Again put this in partial shade for about 3 - 4 weeks and if you have done this correctly you will see new growth pushing out through the parafilm.

This is a lemon I cleft grafted a month and a half ago.

Does a glass jar work as well? And if u can do u find more success with grafting or budding onto stock? One more, how long can iI keep my bud cutting in the fridge...? Thanx!

Nice post. Definitely the way I shall graft my small plants.

There is a logic in this method! definitely will try! thanks!

When Is it too late/hot to graft? I have some potted Trifoliate I would like to graft Orlando onto. The Trifoliate broke dormancy last week, but the bark isn't slipping well enough to bud. The Orlando probably broke dormancy 3 weeks ago.

I was at a nursery this week. Probably 90 per cent of the cleft grafts that were not wrapped with parafilm had died. Did not see any that were wrapped with parafilm that had not forced.

This past winter I tryed cleft grafting for the first time using calamondin rootstocks that I had grown from seed three years ago. Initally I wrapped all the grafts in plastic bags. I had some success grafting calamondin cuttings onto calamondin rootstocks and grafting variegated calamondin cuttings onto calamondin. Currently I'm trying nagami kumquat cuttings onto calamondin and a meyer lemon onto calamondin using parafilm. After 4 weeks some of the grafts appear to be taking. I'm thrilled that I've finally been able to graft citrus thanks to your posted photos using the parafilm method. Mail order citrus is too expensive.

The parafilm grafting method is excellent. I was able to successfully graft 10 out of 13 attempts all on calamondin rootstocks. Variegated calamondin, Bearrs Lime, Nagami Kumquat, and Calamondin all are doing well. The removal of the parafilm was tedious and required surgical scissors. My guess is that it would do no harm to leave the film on and eventually it will dryout and peel off by itself.


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Hi Laaz
I finally managed to convince my wife to let me buy another citrus so i got a Eureka Lemon. I thought i might give your cleft graft a go so found a Yen Ben Lemon scion. I used your technique exactly with the notable exception of i couldn't find any parafilm at the garden centre. So i have instead used masking tape which is waterproof.
What do u think of my chances of it taking??
I have tried the cleft graft only twice before but they both failed:(
Also how long will it take (and how can i tell) before i can know it has taken?
We are in the middle of winter here in New Zealand so there wont be any flushes of new growth for a few months.