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Propagating Apple trees

a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
in Fruit & veg
My plot has a couple of really old really nice apple trees (and the council are very interested in them). I think the whole area was an orchard originally, and I have 10 or so other apples and pears, and a couple of damsons, all ruined by self seeded sycamores, ivy, Russian vine, shade from beech hedge etc.  I’ll try and keep a couple and see if they recover, but most have to come out. 
One or two of the rubbish ones are bearing really interesting fruit.  I have a russet Apple, gorgeous taste, really odd shape for a russet, not a fat round apple. 
I’m interested in identifying yes, but I’d like to have a go at propagating from cuttings or seed. A quick google says this is a professional job.  Any ideas, as I’d like to give it a go.  

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I think giving grafting a try might be your best bet.  I've never tried, but hopefully someone can give advice.  You would probably need to identify the variety to choose the most suitable root stock.  
    Utah, USA.
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    I have emailed bernwode, thanks. 

    I think I had better get a definite identification, so I’ll crack on with this now while the apples are available. Hopefully I can find someone local to come out and see them.  If they are commonly available, I’ll just leave it, but if uncommon, I can use Bernwode. 

    I don’t know when grafting started, these are very old trees.  Still thinking I might try cuttings. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The grafting of fruit trees has been practiced since the 1st millenium BC.  Don't know when the practice arrived in the UK, but I'll bet it was well before your trees were planted  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    ah!   OK.  :D
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
     :D 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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