A local nursery is selling a "Fruit Cocktail" Tree. It has 5 different trees grafted together - 2 plum, 2 apricot, 1 nectarine and 1 peach (it adds up to 6 so it might be a mistake or maybe one is the base tree?). I've not had a chance to check this out yet but I want to know how trees like this fare? I live in the lower mainland so I think it would survive our rainy weather and mild winters. I have several flowers beds in my yard but I a newbie when it comes to fruit trees. Are these types of trees hardy or more susceptable to disease? Do they grow relatively large or are they smaller in size than single fruit trees? Can they be easily espailiered? Are there any obvious things that one should look out for with grafted fruit trees? Any information and suggestions would be apprectiated. Thanks, Linda
Probably not locally adapted cultivars--few of these are. That is the part to check on, if the specific varieties that were used are at all suitable for this area. Even then some disease is likely.
Well, I checked out the Fruit Cocktail trees and here is what is on them - Shiro plum, Italian prune plum, Harko nectarine, Golden apricot, Frost peach and Harglow Apricot. (I forgot to see which tree is the root stock.) The trees appeared to be 7-9 feet tall and the different branches about 6 inches apart on the main trunk. The branches came out of the trunk from all sides so it might be difficult to espalier, or you have to get creative. The cost was $60, it seems reasonable but I haven't seen this before so it may be outragous. I will be researching these varieties as to their hardiness levels, etc. Thanks again, Linda
The difficulty with a tree like this is managing the different varieties. The plums are more vigorous than the apricots, nectarine, and peach, so careful pruning will be needed to keep them from taking over the tree. The varieties you listed are ones commonly grown in the Pacific Northwest, except for the Golden Apricot (not familiar with that variety). The Harko nectarine will need to be sprayed for peach leaf curl to survive our wet springs.
If you really want to espalier the tree you probably can do it over time. My questions are why would you want to, have you espaliered plants before and what kind of trellis are you planning to use for this tree? The multi-fruit Cocktail trees are a novelty and are not created for just anyone as they can take a little more hands on care than a conventional one variety tree will. Yes, indeed the budded Plum limbs should grow more vigorously than the Apricots, Peach and Nectarine limbs will which means to keep this tree maintained and shaped may require you to prune it more than once a year. These type trees are for the homeowner that wants the best of four worlds it seems on one tree, a lot of times due to room and space constraints. I am not saying you should not buy the tree as if it is what interests you then go for it. A 7-9 footer at $60 retail is not out of bounds at all price wise. Jim
