Ackerman, A., A.R.O., Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Ireland
Gilad, S., A.R.O., Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Ireland
Mechnik, B., A.R.O., Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Ireland
Shchori, Y., A.R.O., Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Ireland
Ben-Jaacov, J., A.R.O., Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Ireland

The use of grafting onto lime-resistant Leucospermum and Leucadendron rootstocks has become a successful commercial practice in Israel and, following the perfection of methods for rooting and grafting, it has been shown that simultaneous rooting and grafting is commercially feasible. A method was developed for quick propagation of these plants under conditions prevailing in Israel, based on grafting desirable cultivars (scions) onto unrooted cuttings (rootstocks) in one operation. Formation of the graft union and of adventitious roots occurred concurrently in a mist propagation unit, resulting in a complete plant in 7-8 weeks. Using this technique, it is possible to prepare small grafted plants, ready for planting, in 4 months. Since we developed this technology (1992) about 10 ha of 'Safari Sunset' on 'Orot' have been planted in Israel. These plants have developed much more rapidly and better than ungrafted plants.