Precision plant propagation and mechanization are becoming a global trend, specifically when it comes to laborious and time-consuming tasks like propagating and grafting.
"Technology suppliers coming up with new grafting machines can benefit by focusing on all types of nurseries," Frederik Voigt, Horticultural Product Specialist at Cape Sweet Nursery in South Africa, remarks, reflecting on his GreenTech experience. "Traditionally, these technology suppliers will focus on vegetable growers and their nurseries, catering for highly specialized greenhouse horticulture, but tree nurseries and plant propagators are also in search of automation during the critical period in the season when they need to graft."
A shift towards automation
Frederik is passionate about narrowing the gap between traditional propagation methods in South Africa and emerging technologies. As labor costs in the country climb and seasonal pressures intensify, automation is becoming a necessity.
Photo right: taditional grafting methods at Cape Sweet Nursery
"Especially in propagation, you have such a small window per season to produce as many healthy plants as possible," he explains. "With fruit types that are extremely season-bound, automation helps you capitalize on every hour of the dormant growing phase if you are using dormant bud wood material, for example."
He emphasizes how robotic systems, like those he saw at GreenTech Amsterdam, can transform operations. "Some of the machinery is incredible. You have robots that not only do grafting, but also reduce plant material damage significantly. The healing process is shorter, the loss is minimal, and everything is more controlled," he says.
One standout example was the grafting robot developed for tunnel production. "It's remarkable. You feed in the plant material, and the machine handles the grafting and even the planting: automated, repeatable, and with better precision than manual labor."
Grafting tables at Cape Sweet Nursery
Diversification through mechanization
Frederik also sees an opportunity in using machines year-round by diversifying operations. "If you invest in automation, you need to keep it busy throughout the year to justify the cost," he advises. "You can start looking at winter crops, or different types of propagation and fruit types - like vines, pome, stone fruit, and nut trees, whatever can fill the schedule and make the most of your infrastructure."
"Labor is expensive, and human error is always a factor when it comes to grafting millions of plantlets," he points out. "If you can automate the critical parts of the process and supplement with skilled labor, you're not just increasing output, you're reducing losses and standardizing quality."
Quality and uniform tissue culture rootstocks important for good grafting succes
The need for consistency in propagation
Frederik explains that while traditional grafting demands precise alignment between the thickness of scion and rootstock material, robotic grafting offers more flexibility. "With manual grafting, even a slight mismatch in stem diameter can affect success rates," he says. "But modern grafting robots can accommodate slight variations." However, he emphasizes that uniformity in the nursery remains essential for these technologies to perform optimally. "Even if robots tolerate some variability, consistent plant age, uniform growing conditions, and synchronized development stages still play a critical role," Frederik notes. "That's why we prioritize standardized nursery practices, from lab propagation to tunnel conditions, to ensure automation delivers reliable and scalable results."
Palletized nursery trees ready for distribution to client
Local innovation and global collaboration
Frederik emphasizes the importance of adapting innovations to local conditions.
"We're not just copying what works in the highly developed countries," he says. "We're taking inspiration and tweaking it. What works there needs to be adapted to our climate, our labor structure, and our cost realities."
He notes collaborations with international partners and South African suppliers who are exploring more robust, localized systems. "We've already got nurseries and growers experimenting with semi-automated trays, mechanical transplanting, and substrate tweaks," he shares. "Even simple changes in plug design can make a big difference in root development and transplant success."
For more information:
Frederik Voigt, Horticultural Specialist at ZZ2
[email protected]