Rootstocks
- Rootstocks are used to allow growers to grow the type of variety that they want.
Since fruit trees do not bear true to seed the desired variety is grafted to a rootstock.
Seedling rootstocks are raised from seed, but many different types of rootstock are
available with dwarfing characteristics, disease or insect resistance or many other
traits. Matching the rootstock with for the variety and conditions of the chosen planting
site requires lots of information on rootstock characteristics.
Ron Perry has posted an article describing the new CG
(Cornell-Geneva) apple rootstocks out of New York. In 2005, Dr Perry wrote another
article that is posted at his website.
- MSU Extension Tree Fruit Specialist, Dr. Ron Perry, has posted
several articles on High Density Apple Culture utilizing dwarfing apple rootstocks. Links
are available at his webpage
- Apple scion/rootstock
selections and planning for Michigan
Plant Density or Canopy Volume - Which makes Cents?
Strategies for Earlier Production
Reviewing Support Systems for Apple Orchards
Rootstocks and Systems for High Density Apples in Michigan
MSU Extension Tree Fruit Specialist, Dr Greg Lang, has posted an
article on cherry rootstocks. Follow the sweet cherry link at his webpage
Other
Rootstock Web Resources
The
Virtual Orchard - an excellent site maintained for growers and others interested in
apples.
IDFTA -
International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association is an organization of growers researchers
and extension agents dedicated to increasing the use of dwarfing rootstocks and sharing
this information with other growers.
NC-140 is a
large rootstock research project
