[Boland]

Hi Again Folks,

Apples on the brain this week....

I'm interested in grafting some apples from my parents orchard.
Does anyone know where to get apple tree root stock?

I've heard that there are differing stocks for the differing sizes you want to eventually have, I'm clueless so any advice would be gratefully received regarding this?

Ta

[Qzy]

I came across this information on Apple rootstock a while ago and kept a copy...


Apple: M27 (Very dwarfing ) Requirements Good soil conditions. Ground should be clear of weeds and grass. Permanent staking required. Water in dry conditions. Mature height 4-6ft (1.2-1.8m) Spread 5ft (1.5m) Planting distance 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5m) apart, 6ft (1.8m) between rows Mature yield 10-15lb (4.5-7kg) Bearing age 2 years Suitable forms Dwarf pyramid, centre leader, stepover

Apple: M9 (Dwarfing ) Requirements Good soil conditions. Ground should be clear of weeds and grass. Permanent staking required. Water in dry conditions. Mature height 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) Spread 9ft (2.7m) Planting distance 8-10ft (2.4-3m) apart, 12ft (3.6m) between rows Mature yield 25-50lb (11-23kg) Bearing age 2/3 years Suitable forms Bush, pyramid, centre leader, cordon

Apple: M26 (Semi-dwarfing ) Requirements Can be grown in all reasonable soil conditions including grass orchards. Stake for the first 5 years. Mature height 8-10ft (2.4-3m) Spread 12ft (3.6m) Planting distance 8-12ft (2.4-3.6m) apart, 15ft (4.5m) between rows Mature yield 30-80lb (13.5-36kg) Bearing age 2/3 years Suitable forms Bush, pyramid, centre leader, cordon, minaret, espalier, container

Apple: MM106 (Semi-vigorous ) Requirements Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and relatively poor soils. Stake for the first 5 years. Mature height 10-13ft (3-4m) Spread 13ft (4m) Planting distance 12ft (3.6m) apart, 15ft (4.5m) between rows Mature yield 50-100lb (23-56kg) Bearing age 3/4 years Suitable forms Half standard, bush, cordon, espalier, container

Apple: MM111 (Vigorous ) Requirements Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and poor soils. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees. Mature height 13-15ft (4-4.5m) Spread 15ft (4.5m) Planting distance 15ft (4.5m) apart, 20ft (6m) between rows Mature yield 100-400lb (45-180kg) Bearing age 4/5 years Suitable forms Standard, half standard, large espalier

Apple: M25 (Very vigorous ) Requirements Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and poor soils. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees. Mature height Over15ft (4.5m) Spread 20ft (6m) Planting distance 20ft (6m) apart, 25ft (7.5m) between rows Mature yield 200-400lb (90-180kg) Bearing age 5/6 years Suitable forms Standard

Hope that helps

[Boland]

That's MOST excellent Qzy, many thanks.
.

[Daithic]

You should contact Con Traas at the Apple Farm in Cahir, a very helpful guy that may be able to help you source apple root stock. There are a few growers in Tipperary where the bulk of the Irish apple crop is grown.

http://www.theapplefarm.com/

[Boland]

Cool, thanks for that Daithic.

[heno55]

try irish seed savers they offer a grafting service and they also sell rootstocks M26 and MM106 for 2euro each