Scion

This term is used in grafting to represent the section of stem which is grafted onto the rootstock of another plant. The scion will form the top growth of the new plant.

One to two year old material is usually used as a scion, being cut from the parent plant above a bud and just into the older growth which will help to form a better graft.

In some cases several different scions are grafted onto one rootstock. This is done, for example, to create family trees (one plant with several types of apples or different colour roses) or to make a weeping standard tree with a balanced top growth.

Scion is also used as a term to mean buds cut from a parent plant for use in budding, again so that the top growth of the plant will be that of the scion’s parent plant.