To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Interstem Apples
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 09:27:22 -0500
Ginda,
The bulk of my apples, or at least those I planted the first two or three
years, as I was getting the orchard established, are on a combo M111/M9
rootstock. Most are in the vicinity of 6-7 yrs old now, and most are
around 10 ft tall - but I will confess, I've not pruned any in the past 3
years - just can't get around to it - too many other things demanding my time.
My orchard is in a fairly exposed site, and catches a bit of wind. Part of
my reason for selecting the combo was the reputation M111 had for superior
anchorage. I've been pretty disappointed in performance from that
standpoint - there are quite a few of the trees that are leaning - and very
badly - some at 45 degrees or more; a couple, I'm probably going to just
remove, as I don't think I can ever get 'em straightened up, and it's
really hard mowing around/under them.
Suckers - yep, they sucker - maybe not as prolifically as those on M7, but
several of them more so than others in the orchard. I'm presuming, from
Ed's previous discussions, that it's probably the M111 understock that's
throwing suckers, but I can't swear that that's the case. I have
pulled/dug the occasional sucker and transplanted to nursery beds for use
as rootstocks.
Fruiting - thus far, the apples I've got on M7 have been more productive
than those on the combo rootstock - and better anchored, as well.
So...at least in my spot, I've decided that M7 is a better choice, and if I
ever buy rootstocks again, that's the way I'll be going. But, for the most
part, I'm abandoning apples, other than planting a few out for the wildlife
or on standard rootstocks for a pasture shade tree. Until my kids are all
out of school, I don't see myself having time to devote the level of care
that apples require - pears, persimmons, pecans & hickories for me!