Compatibility of Plums and Plum Hybrids
Can Asian plum and European plum graft on the same rootstock as Citation, Mariana or Myrobalan? As @Vincent has expressed an observation that this is a question that many members would like an informed answer, it goes without saying that we need input from members with firsthand experience who have experienced success in proving compatibility among the plum species. After reviewing considerable literature the details we often seek to plan a Prunus grafting project is often not easy to locate! With the ongoing creation of new varieties a compilation of compatible types would be very useful to many members, so when Vincent’s question came to me, it reminded me of the need to find out from the experience of others to make record of what combinations are feasible.
I have drafted this preliminary answer to the question in short form and ask that members who have personal experience with grafting various types of Plums, Plumcots, Pluots, Apriums, etc and know for a fact that compatibility is possible between any two stonefruit species, give me your feedback as to what works. I will then attempt to edit this article and update it with member documentation and credits so that all may know what works well.
While I realize the question that @ Vincent is posing tends to confuse rootstock compatibility with both rootstock and the species grafted to the rootstock, for sake of simplicity I want to limit this paper to addressing the compatibility among the wood species above the graft onto the rootstock, until such time as I obtain enough feedback that expresses any rootstock’s ability to directly support grafts of 2 or more species. Generally, its recognized that rootstocks are chosen primarily based upon dwarfing, soil suitability, stability and vigor some Stonefruit rootstock may be more suited and tested for any one of the primary plum species: P. domestica, P. salicina, P. persica, P. americanna. As well it may be suited to any one of these but not all! My preliminary research shows most growers do not specify or list which species are not compatible with their rootstocks leaving this question for members with real experience to answer!
Given that many of our member have limited space to support each tree but desire to have multiple varieties of each tree, the question reflects a sincere and very valid need to gather data form our collective knowledge.
For example after about five years of experimentation with many failures and some successes, here is what I know works well and what does not work at all:
What does not work: I found this on the internet about 10 years ago when i wanted to top work my sweet cherries into plums: When i ask the question: What types of fruits can be grafted together on the same tree? I get this answer: For example, one can graft peaches, plums, plumcots, apriums, pluots, apricots, nectarines, cherries and almonds all onto the same tree. One could also graft a tree of different citrus, or a tree of different apples and pears. Feb 17, 2016
So after several years of trying to graft various plum and peach scions onto my sweet cherry trees and failing 100%, I knew there must be some element of truth missing here! This response might have been more helpful if it had stated that in many instances there is a need to use an interstem to bridge compatibility between wood of the same genus or of different families!
What I know does work from my Experience:
Top Workin Sweet cherry Trees with Interstems: When attempting to graft various types of plum species to my sweet cherry trees I have found both Cherry Plum and Adara Plum to be fairly equivalent as inter stems to bridge compatibility from cherry wood to all plum varieties. I say fairly because i have only seen and observed about three years of growth, and they both seem to be supporting growth vigor equally. Using inter stems to bridge compatibility these varieties are now vigorously growing:
Prunus domestica: Green gage, Castledon, Rosy gage (a Cross), Coes Golden Drop
Prunus salicina: Methley, Satsuma,
Prunus salicina hybrids: Oblinaya, Beauty, Nadia
Interspecific Hybrids: Flavor King
Prunus munsoniana: Wild Goose
On my P Americana native rootstocks I have the following growing as direct compatible grafts: Burgandy, Castledon, Ozark Premiere, Waneta, OPAL, Wild Goose, Mount Royal Plum, Kuban Comet, Dapple Dandy, Rheine de Mirabelle, Sweet Treat Pluery, Waneta, Friar, Luisa, Black Splendor Shiro, Satsuma
On my Myrobalan 29c rootstocks I have: Opal, Dapple Dandy, Methley, Flavor King, Flavor Supreme,
On my roadside cherry plum I have grafted directly: Ozark Premiere, and Wild Goose, Nadia.
To provide effective feedback from members who are engaged in grafting plums and wish to provide feedback of what has worked for you or just as valuable, what you know has always failed, I am asking you to answer these three questions: ( In each case please indicate the number of years your graft has grown well as you would expect).
- Rootstock support: Have you grafted more than one Prunus type directly to any Rootstock without any type of interstem? If so please give me your Rootstock name, and the different varieties grafted directly to the rootstock. (To clarify: I am referring to a rootstock that has several native scaffolds onto which your varieties are grafted, i.e. there are no inter stems or other plum varieties between the roots and the scaffolds.)
- Above the rootstock: Where there is only one type and variety grafted directly to the rootstock, have you grafted other types of prunus directly to the original variety?
- If you have used an interstem to create what some refer to as a “Frankentree” of multiple varieties, please tell us your rootstock name and what interstem lies between the rootstock and your multiple varieties.
In closing, to solicit your input and to facilitate my use of your data, if you wish to give only a brief comment feel free to do so directly, but if you wish to provide me your actual experience please simple PM me asking for my email address and I will provide that to you for use in providing me your experiences. Let me know if you wish to be credited in my final edition.
Sincerely,
Dennis
Kent, Wa
Wikipedia definitions: ,
- Pluots, apriums, apriplums, plumcots or pluclots are some of the hybrids between different Prunus species that are also called interspecific plums
- Prunus is a genus of trees and shrubs, which includes (among many others) the fruits plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and almonds.
- Citation Rootstock: From the below reference#1, this rootstock was developed by USA, Zaiger Genetics, patented in 1983 , and is described as a dwarf rootstock: Prunus salicina x Prunus persica
(Red Beaut plum x peach). - From reference #2, MARIANNA 2624 ROOTSTOCK is described as: It will produce a large semi-dwarf tree, can be easily maintained from 12 to 17 feet tall. Tolerates wet soils and good disease resistance; moderately resistant to phytophthora, crown rot, root rot, and oak root fungus. Root-knot nematode resistant. Can sucker in adverse conditions. It is compatible as an understock for plums, apricots, and some almonds. Incompatible with peaches and nectarines. Hardy to USDA zone 4-10.
- From reference #3 Myrobalan 29c is described as: A Vigorous well anchored rootstock good for all plum varieties. Less suckering than seedling Myrobalan and resistant to root knot nematode, crown gall and oak root rot.
- From reference #4 Myrobalan is described as: A plum rootstock with Prunus cerasifera parentage. Graft compatibility with Apricot, Plum, and Prune. Myrobalan is a highly vigorous seedling rootstock that is well suited for a wide range of soil types. It is usually considered a vigorous or semi-vigorous rootstock, producing a tree with a mature height of 16ft - 20ft. Trees on Myrobalan should become free-standing but may benefit from staking for the first few years in lighter soils and / or windy situations. Like most seedling rootstocks Myrobalan is not particularly precocious, and trees should start bearing after 4-5 years. Apricot can be grown on Myrobalan plum rootstocks, although weakness and breaking at the graft union has been reported after high winds. As a result of this problem Myrobalan rootstocks should only be used in very heavy or wet soils.
References:
#2: Marianna 2624 Rootstock — Raintree Nursery
#3: https://fruitwoodnursery.com/rootstocks/prunus-myrobalan-29c-plum-rootstock-detail
