Graft element, system and method for joining plant stem sections using such graft element, and system and method for preparing such graft element

Method for joining together plant stem sections by means of a graft element, the method comprising:

• providing a stem of a root stock to be grafted, the root stock stem comprising a root stock end for receiving the scion stem;
• providing a stem of a scion to be grafted, the scion stem comprising a scion end for receiving the root stock stem;
• positioning the stems next to each other such that the root stock end is positioned higher than the scion end;
• cutting the stems at a level between the root stock end and the scion end and positioning the stems of the root stock and the scion on top of each other;
• and
• providing a graft element around the cut stems.

System for joining together plant stem sections by means of a graft element, the system comprising:

• a root stock holding apparatus for providing a stem of a root stock to be grafted, the root stock stem comprising a root stock end for receiving the scion stem;
• a scion holding apparatus for providing a stem of a scion to be grafted, the scion stem comprising a scion end for receiving the root stock stem;
• a control unit for controlling the root stock holding apparatus and the scion holding apparatus for positioning the stems next to each other such that the root stock end is positioned higher than the scion end;
• a cutting unit;
• and
• an apparatus for providing the graft element;
• wherein the cutting unit is arranged for cutting the stems at a level between the root stock end and the scion end and wherein the control unit is further arranged for controlling the root stock holding apparatus and the scion holding apparatus for positioning the stems of the root stock and the scion on top of each other after cutting.