Sexual vs Asexual Propagation of Fruit Trees

Sexual Propagation

In many cases, raising a fruit tree from seed is just as likely to cause disappointment as elation. This is because seed is a genetic lucky dip with no two seeds alike in genetic combination.

It is also takes more time to raise a seedling to maturity and fruit-bearing age.

Asexual Propagation

Commercial fruit trees are typically propagated asexually by cuttings or by grafting. This ensures that the genetic material is identical from daughter tree to daughter tree, and that there are no surprises in fruit taste, yield, or quality when these trees mature. Trees also reach fruit-bearing age more quickly when propagated these ways.

Cuttings vs Grafting

Some trees grow well from cuttings, and these trees are 100% genetically the one species. Growth from cuttings can be an extremely efficient and reliable means of propagation.

This unfortunately is not the case with the jujube tree! Grafting is by far a more reliable means of propagating this species.

Grafting can still be the preferred means of propagation however, even with species which strike well from cuttings. As grafting creates a hybrid, by joining the tree-part of one species (scion wood) to the root-part of another (rootstock), benefits of both are made manifest in one tree.

The scions, which were taken from a mother tree selected for superior fruit development, grow and eventually become superior fruit-bearers themselves, identical to the mother tree in every way, as they are genetic clones of that tree.

The rootstock on the other hand serves another purpose. It may have been chosen for any number of reasons, including an ability to dwarf a tree, or for resistance to rot or disease.

Grafting also enables trees to reach fruit-bearing age much more quickly — a year-old scion on older rootstock will flower and fruit that same year.

One major concern with grafting is that the rootstock may take over the rest of the tree if left unchecked. It is very important to prevent this by identifying  and removing rootstock shoots whenever they are seen.