Apple Bench Graft to Fruit

CinnamintStick · May 30, 2012

I have been starting my (40+) apple trees from bench grafts on Standard root stock. I am growing them from bench grafts to get varieties I can get any other way. I also live where it is very windy so I wanted Standard root stock for good anchoring. I did not expect fruit until they are 7-8 years do to my poor sandy soil. They are 3 years old. They where grown in pots the first year and planted out two years ago. Many look the size of a tree you buy bare root but some are getting fruit. Should I take the fruit off or let them be? I don't want to stunt the tree but I happy they did set fruit with my crazy high desert climate.

Tormato · June 2, 2012

I've had apple trees fruit the second year after grafting. The branches were bent to the ground. Thinning to one fruit per cluster is one option. There are likely orchard experts at gardenweb.com (forum- Fruits) that know more.

Gary

May 30, 2012	#1
CinnamintStick Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Phelan CA Posts: 76	Apple Bench Graft to Fruit I have been starting my (40+) apple trees from bench grafts on Standard root stock. I am growing them from bench grafts to get varieties I can get any other way. I also live where it is very windy so I wanted Standard root stock for good anchoring. I did not expect fruit until they are 7-8 years do to my poor sandy soil. They are 3 years old. They where grown in pots the first year and planted out two years ago. Many look the size of a tree you buy bare root but some are getting fruit. Should I take the fruit off or let them be? I don't want to stunt the tree but I happy they did set fruit with my crazy high desert climate.

June 2, 2012	#2
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	I've had apple trees fruit the second year after grafting. The branches were bent to the ground. Thinning to one fruit per cluster is one option. There are likely orchard experts at gardenweb.com (forum- Fruits) that know more. Gary