I have a bunch of apricot seedlings that I grow to experiment with apricot varieties. My original plan was to graft scions taken from these seedlings on Krymsk 1 rootstocks, but it seems like I have much more seedlings than K1s to put them on. I know that apricot seedlings can themselves be used as rootstocks for apricots (as well as for peaches and perhaps plums), but the trees grow very large, which would not work for me. Does anybody has experience with controlling the size of apricots on apricot seedling rootstock? Can you keep them under 7-8 ft with a reasonable amount of summer pruning, or do they run out of control too fast? Also, are there any other issues with using apricot seedlings as rootstock, for example, susceptibility to canker and other diseases, drought sensitivity, etc? I’m in Zone 9b, so cold sensitivity is not an issue for me.
For our western soils, I think Citation is superior.
I would gladly buy Citation rootstocks, but have never seen them offered in retail (buying grafted trees on Citation is not economical for the amount of scionwood I want to try).
You might check if your local CRFG chapter offers rootstock for sale at a spring scion exchange. I’ve seen citation for sale before, or perhaps it can put you in touch with someone local who can supply some to you.
I don’t know about Citation, but Marianna stools very easily. It might be possible to grow your own Citation rootstocks.
A lot of seedling apricots do get pretty good sized, but some seem to top out at around 15’ tall or so and I would think a person could keep them down to 8 or 12 feet, but the operant word there is “think”, and somebody else will have better information.
But you can buy them in wholesale. Ask Tom Spellman or the DWN site where they purchase theirs.
I don’t like Marianna, it has shallow roots and suckers like crazy. Anyway, setting up a stoolbed would take a year or two, and I already have about 50 seedlings which are 4-5 ft high. Buying some rootstocks at CRFG scion exchanges, as suggested by @Vohd above, sounds like a very good idea, since I can plant them in January and graft in March. I’ll definitely keep some seedlings to see whether I can control their size by summer pruning. We’ll see how it goes.
Marianna sucker? Well, yes- like you say. Probably what makes it such a good candidate for stooling.
Sounds like you have a good plan. Better go with it!
I believe you can order them in quantities of 50 or more from Fowler:
http://www.fowlernurseries.com/Rootstocks.htm
Yes, you can keep the apricots dwarfed, say 7 to 8 feet by not watering excessively and pruning as may be needed, and still getting good/abundant production. I’ve done that for 20 years, on apricot seedlings grafted with Newcastle and Royal Blenheim, keeping them about 7 to 8 feet all around. Apricot seedings are moderately drought tolerant.
Thank you for your note Scott and welcome to the forum! Where are you located?
You’re welcome and thank you! I’m in Point Loma - San Diego, two blocks from the ocean on Orchard Ave. I’m a licensed contractor, certified arborist, long time CRFG member, advanced certified nurseryman, and CAUFC certified urban forester. My biz is www.plantscomprehensive.com
Happy to see you here!
A few years in, how are you doing with this? I have a number of inadvertent apricot seedlings that I’d use for pluot and apricot grafts if you’ve found them manageable.
Hi…I’m searching for newcastle apricot and your post came up. I’m also in San Diego. Are you still growing newcastle apricot?
I had a seedling pop up in my backyard that I thought was a gallery pear which I dug and potted to graft. But as it grew this year I suddenly wondered if it was an apricot seedling from one of the many cots the squirrels have stolen. I do see some rust that makes me think pear, but the stems and leaves sure look like my cots.
Anyone got a good ID?
