Scion

In the realm of cannabis biology and science, particularly within the field of plant breeding, the term scion refers to a young shoot or twig that has been cut from one cannabis plant, known as the donor, for the purpose of grafting onto another plant, called the rootstock. Scions are chosen for their desirable qualities, such as potency, flavor profile, resistance to diseases and pests, or specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

The process of grafting a scion onto a rootstock combines the strengths of two different cannabis strains, resulting in a new plant that exhibits the favorable traits of both parent plants.

The Grafting Process

The art of grafting using cannabis scions requires precision and attention to detail. After selecting a compatible rootstock, the grower must carefully splice the scion and attach it to the rootstock, ensuring the cambium layers—the actively growing tissue between the wood and the bark—of both specimens are aligned.

This allows for the successful union of the scion and rootstock, enabling the exchange of nutrients and growth signals that will promote the growth of the scion as part of the new plant.

Advantages of Grafting

Adopting this breeding technique in cannabis cultivation, breeders can experiment with creating unique combinations of cannabis cultivars without the need for cross-pollination and seed production.

Successful grafting leads to a genetically stable outcome, ensuring that the desirable characteristics of the scion are reliably expressed in subsequent growth cycles. This practice offers numerous advantages, including saving space, preserving genetic diversity, and potential cost reductions by reducing the need for multiple mother plants.

The Importance of Scions

When discussing or researching advanced cannabis breeding techniques, understanding the role and implementation of scions is essential for any cultivator looking to innovate and expand their crop variety.