We offer M111 and M7, and Bud. 9 rootstocks on our
benchgrafts.
Dwarfing rootstocks can have certain advantages for
the backyard grower. The more dwarfing rootstocks (M7 and smaller)
are precocious, which means they start producing fruit
early in their lifetime; Bud-9 will usually fruit the second
year, M7 in the third year. They also bear heavy crops.
But they do have disadvantages. They may still
get bigger than you want, up to 15' tall for a M7 semi-dwarf. Bud
9 has roots so small it can barely support itself, much
less a load of fruit in a windstorm, and needs to be permanently staked.
It is susceptible to drought and slow to recover from damage.
However, Bud 9 is the most popular commercially planted
rootstocks because it produces early and heavily. Our suppliers
routinely run out early in the season.
On the other hand, more vigorous rootstocks like M7
and above are well-anchored and need no staking. They grow quickly
and recover well from damage. If you forget to water a week they
will take it in stride. They may bear fruit about the same time
you allow your smaller rootstocks to start fruiting. Seedling and
M111 rootstocks are
long-lived; 100 years or more is quite common. And with summer
pruning, you can keep them any size, even the same size as the most
dwarfing rootstocks.
Apple rootstock research is geared
toward cold climates. We are still trying to find rootstocks that
will be lower chill and do better in our climate, but research on it is
almost nil and we just have to test, which will take years.
