Are there any Dwarfing rootstocks used for cherry trees to keep the height down? The cherry trees I've seen are way to big for practical picking of fruit...way out of control. In apples you have Bud 9 rootstock which really limits growth and produces fruit faster...was wondering if anything similar in Cherries is available?
Gisela 5 rootstock- trees can be maintained at 9'-10'. Some bloom cluster thinning is necessary on young trees (especially Lapins) to get good sized fruit.
thanks to all Gisela 5 rootstock? cool...never heard of it being used around here....only MAZZARD, COLT e.t.c. know any source for me to get one? I live in Ontario
Any personal feedback from this rootstock? some complains on the net about the rootstock(Gisela 5) runting out. Is this true?
We have several trees of various varieties on Gisela 5 at the farm where I work. These trees are in the 7-12 years in the ground, trained to an open bush framework. All are about 10' tall and bear well. Like most dwarfing rootstocks, Gisela 5 needs a little extra attention to irrigation, and some varieties will definitely overcrop if allowed to. We thin by removing all blossom clusters, or young fruit clusters from the undersides of the branches. We get good fruit size and production.
Gotcha...What do you think of Maxima 14? irrigation is not a problem here....it rains in buckets here in the summer with thunderstorms...they need more water than that? thanks for the reply
No experience with Maxima 14. We are the opposite, most of our rain falls in winter, with dry summers. Fruit trees on larger rootstocks can cope, but dwarf trees need irrigation (smaller root systems). Thinning the blossom clusters, and preventing overcropping on young trees, is important to maintaining vigor.
