Stool Beds

Mike,
I’ve used stool beds for lots of rootstocks but for the $1 or less they usually cost , it’s not always worth our time. Here is an example Making a pear stoolbed for propagating rootstocks - #6 by clarkinks. It does however give me a sense of security to know I know how should the need arise like it did a few years ago when they temporarily shutdown scion and rootstock supply over a possible virus. Most rootstocks come from Oregon which is Williamette and Copenhaven which supply most other places selling rootstocks. The unique pear scionwood primarily come from Corvallis. That leaves lawyer nursery primarily for rootstocks and smaller orchards for scions. Thankfully in the last several years pears have made a huge rebound and many individuals are growing them again. I know of many apples that sucker heavily which make it easy to make stool beds but that same suckering that makes so many rootstocks can be a real pain. I raise lots of seedling apples on their own roots and they sucker like crazy in most cases.

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