To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Fwd: Pear Rootstock
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:50:23 -0600
The discussion on rootstocks effect on FB and info provided by Ethan
Natelson is very timely for me, as I am wavering between two nurseries with
pears on different OhxF rootstocks. I'd like to hear any more comments on
this subject. I have asked Annie Black at Hidden Springs Nursery for 20
quince rootstocks. (You might want to see if they will have more left over,
their email is hiddenspringsnursery@hotmail.com) Annie tells me that though
quinces have their health problems here, they have never had one die from
fireblight. I have read that if FB on a pear scion spreads far enough, it
can kill the quince rootstock. Yet from what you all have said, dwarfing
rootstock slows pear growth enough that FB is less of a problem. I realize
I'm not going to get away with growing Bartletts, but do you think I can get
away with some of the better quality, moderately FB resistant pears?
I see Vintage Virginia Apples has both Blake's Pride and Shenadoah but
on OHF x 97 "Pyrus, standard rootstock for European and Asian pears. Trees
will be vigorous and near standard size. Productive, well-anchored and
disease resistant." Burnt Ridge has only Blake's Pride, but it's on OHF x
33. Maybe you all know some other things I should weigh in my decision? My
son Dave says that Burnt Ridge is their favorite nursery, and the people
there are wonderful. When Dave mentioned to the owner he'd been to
Tennessee and seen a huge kiwi vine there, the owner asked, "Was that at
Hector Black's place?" Well, yes it was. Small world, eh?
I personally would like some little pear trees for a change. I know
what they are capable of, and I have seen some old dwarf pears in my time as
well, and much prefer the latter if I'm going to have to actually pick the
fruit, prune, etc.
I await your comments with bated breath! Donna