Veredelingspunt

Veredelingspunt is a term used in horticulture to denote the graft union—the site where a scion (the desired cultivar) is joined to a rootstock. It is the point where the tissues of the two plants come into contact and begin to form a continuous vascular connection, enabling the combined plant to grow as one.

The success of grafted plants depends on the correct alignment of the cambial layers of stock and scion at the veredelingspunt. When the cambium of both parts is in contact, callus tissue forms and a continuous xylem and phloem connection develops, allowing water, nutrients, and growth signals to pass through. Incompatibility at the veredelingspunt can lead to poor adhesion, tissue necrosis, or graft failure.

The veredelingspunt is typically located near the base of the stem, at or just above the rootstock, and just below the scion. Its exact position varies with grafting technique; for example, in a whip-and-tongue graft the joint forms along the vertical cut, while in a cleft graft it sits at the top of a split stock.

Grafting methods that create a veredelingspunt include whip-and-tongue, cleft graft, budding, and others. Post-grafting care involves securing the joint with tape or wrap, keeping the union moist, and shielding it from desiccation and extreme temperatures until vascular connection is established.

In horticulture, the veredelingspunt is central to propagating fruit trees and ornamental plants, where combining desirable scion traits with hardy rootstocks is common. The term is widely used in Dutch horticultural literature to refer specifically to this graft junction.