Grafting apparatus, sowing apparatus, grafted seedling production method, and grafted seedling production system

A grafted seedling production method using plate-shaped grafting members each provided with, on a main surface on one side in a thickness direction thereof, at least one plant holder to hold a plant for grafting, the method comprising:

• placing a seed of the plant for grafting in the at least one plant holder of each of the grafting members;
• germinating the seeds;
• raising seedlings of the plants for grafting subsequent to germination of the seeds;
• cutting stems of the plants for grafting that are held by the plant holders subsequent to raising the seedlings of the plants for grafting;
• separating each of the grafting members at a cut section of the plant for grafting;
• and
• mutually joining separated parts of the grafting members at cut surfaces thereof, to thereby mutually join cut parts of the plants for grafting.

A grafted seedling production system using plate-shaped grafting members each provided with, on a main surface on one side in a thickness direction thereof, at least one plant holder to hold a plant for grafting, the system comprising:

• a sower to place a seed of the plant for grafting in the at least one plant holder of each of the grafting members;
• a germinator to germinate the seeds;
• a seedling raising device to raise seedlings of the plants for grafting subsequent to germination of the seeds;
• a cutter to cut stems of the plants for grafting that are held by the plant holders subsequent to raising the seedlings of the plants for grafting;
• and
• a separator to separate each of the grafting members at a cut section of the plant for grafting;
• and
• a joiner to mutually join separated parts of the grafting members at cut surfaces thereof, to thereby mutually join cut parts of the plants for grafting.