Veredlung

Veredlung is a German noun derived from the verb veredeln, meaning to refine, ennoble, or improve a product or material. In everyday usage the term denotes a process of enhancing quality, value, or performance, and it is applied across several industries and disciplines.

In horticulture, Veredlung refers specifically to grafting or bud grafting, a vegetative propagation method used to combine two plant parts into a single plant. A scion from one cultivar is joined with a rootstock of another, often to gain disease resistance, vigor, or better adaptation to soil and climate while keeping the desired fruit or ornamental characteristics. Common methods include whip-and-tongue grafts, cleft grafts, and budding. Veredlung enables propagation of preferred varieties and can shorten the time to fruiting.

In crafts and industry, Veredlung describes finishing or surface-treatment processes that improve appearance, feel, durability, or value. This includes leather finishing (tanning, dyeing, polishing, and waterproofing), textile finishing (coating, calendering, or smoothing), and metal finishing (polishing, plating, gilding, or coating). Across these fields, the aim is to elevate the product beyond its base state through controlled processing.

Etymologically, the term reflects the notion of raising something to a higher status or quality. In German-speaking contexts, Veredlung is a widely used concept that encompasses both biological propagation and post-production refinement.