How do u start a Apple Rootstock stool bed ?
Do you use a 1 or 2 year old bought in rootstock, that you cut right down to ground straight away.
Or do you leave it to grow, for say 4 years, and then cut it down.
Or do you buy a 4/5 year old tree then cut that down.
Do you plant the rootstock say 6 ins deeper, so would be buds are below the soil surface
How long before you make adequate amounts of new rootstocks.
Any thoughts or ideas please.
I bought M111 rootstock, planted it in a 15g nursery pot, let it grow for a year and then cut it to ground level, when it regrows, mound it and you will get 4-10 rootstock to harvest that winter.
I had 4 live P.2 failed grafts that were still healthy. They were already cut short. Planted them in a raised sand bed last fall and they seem to be pushing up sprouts now. Once they break surface I will start mounding them with old hay.
There seems to be different methods of mounding the ‘soil’ up.
Some mound the ‘soil’ up, in one go. As soon as the rootstock growth has been cut off.
Whilst others mound the ‘soil’ up bit by bit throughout the growing season. Similar to earthing up potatoes.
Not sure which is the best method. I like the idea of everything in one go. So there is no more work during the year.
I say ‘soil’ as again there are different mediums being used. The likes of sawdust, wood shavings, composted wood chippings, local soil etc. Which is preferable?
Do you add fertilizer to this ‘soil’ ?
We are trying hay compost this year.
I mound halfway mid summer then the rest of the way late summer/fall. I used whatever course potting mix of finer mulch I have handy.
No fertilizer in the topper but I fertilize the stoolbed in late winter after it’s harvested.