Category: Apples

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How should I choose among dwarfing rootstocks for my apple orchard?

Choosing the best dwarfing rootstock for your orchard will depend on multiple factors. Probably one of the most important is the cultivar that will be propagated on the rootstock. Cultivars vary greatly in vigor, with some being very weak growing (‘Honeycrisp’) compared to others that are very vigorous (‘Cripps Pink’/’Pink Lady’). You should select the cultivar/rootstock combination that will give you the desired tree size for your desired tree density, support system, soil, and management system.

The disease sensitivity of …

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I grafted 10 apple trees in the spring and only a few of the grafts started growing. Can I reuse the rootstocks? What kind of grafting can I do now?

If your bench grafts do not take but the rootstock is healthy and growing, you certainly can re-graft them in the same season.

► The earliest option is chip budding and is done as early as late spring to early summer.

1.      Remove a “chip” of scion tissue which includes a healthy axillary bud.

2.      Remove a chip of comparable size from a healthy section of rootstock.

3.      Place the previously crafted chip of scion in the place where the …

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What is blister spot, and how do I identify and manage the disease?

Blister spot is a bacterial disease of apple fruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. papulans. This disease is of economic importance mainly on the cultivar ‘Mutsu’ (‘Crispin’) but can be seen on ‘Golden Delicious’ when grown adjacent to ‘Mutsu’. Even though fruit grow to maturity and no detectable yield loss occurs, severe infection results in ugly fruit and greatly reduces fresh market quality. For more information and images, read this article on Blister Spot of Apple.

Answer provided …

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How do I determine the spacing between trees on a given rootstock for my apple orchard?

Determining the correct spacing for a rootstock/variety combination in a particular orchard is worth a lot of pre-planting thought and effort. Trees that are planted too close together for their vigor will be a struggle to maintain during every year for the life of the planting. Additionally, the amount and quality of fruit production will decline when inadequate light is available throughout the tree. On the other hand, trees that don’t have enough vigor to fill their spacing will result …

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What is Nectria twig blight, and how do I identify and manage the disease?

Nectria twig blight is a fungus disease that results in dieback of apple twigs. It is caused by the fungus Nectria cinnabarina. Recognition of the disease is important because it is often confused with fire blight, which requires different control measures. For more information and images, read this article on Nectria Twig Blight of Apple.

Answer provided by Alan R. Biggs, West Virginia University.…

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Are there restrictions to grafting my own apple trees?

Some cultivars of apple are under patent. If the patent is still applicable, then you must contact the nursery (or whoever holds the patent) and pay the royalty for each tree you propagate. Failure to do so could lead to criminal penalties, a monetary judgment (and/or fine), and destruction of the trees you propagated. Apple cultivars that are part of an exclusive club or licensing agreement are also illegal to propagate, and there usually is no avenue for a “non-club …

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What is black rot, and how do I identify and manage the disease on apple trees?

Black rot is a fungus disease that can cause serious losses in apple orchards, especially in warm, humid areas. Three forms of the disease can occur:

  • a fruit rot, which causes fruit to become unmarketable;
  • a leaf spot known as frogeye leaf spot which, if severe, can result in defoliation which weakens the tree; and
  • a limb canker which can girdle and eventually kill entire branches.

Read more and see images in this article, Black Rot of Apple.…

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Can I grow apple trees in my windbreak?

The primary function of a windbreak is to reduce wind speed around areas in need of protection. If you are interested in having multiple species in your windbreak, apples might be a good choice.

  • Locate the apple trees in interior or wind-sheltered rows as their tolerance to wind is not as great as that of other species.
  • Place the apple trees closer than in a typical orchard, and plan for a reduced fruit yield, particularly if the windbreak plantings are
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How do rootstocks affect apple fruit size?

Results from a number of apple rootstock trials in different regions of North America indicate that some rootstocks can influence fruit size. Trees on M.7, G.16, and M.26 generally produce smaller fruit than trees on M.9. Most other tested rootstocks produce fruit slightly smaller than M.9. Although experiments have not been performed to compare fruit size from trees grown on semi-dwarf or non-dwarfing rootstocks, orchard observations indicate that fruit produced by trees on M.9 are larger than fruit produced by …

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What is quince rust, and how do I identify and manage the disease on apple trees?

Quince rust is a fungus disease caused by Gymnosporangium clavipes. The fungus infects fruit, but not leaves, of most apple cultivars. It infects both leaves and fruit of hawthorn. Typically, an infection on apple fruit shows up first as a slightly raised purplish area on the calyx end of the fruit. On mature fruit, the lesion is sunken and dark green or purple. Usually, the entire calyx end of the fruit is involved, and the flesh is deformed to …

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