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Keepers NurseryThe UK's largest range of Fruit Trees
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Rootstocks
Fruit trees are propagated onto rootstocks. The rootstock is the most important factor in determining the vigour and eventual size of the tree. The choice of rootstock is therefore very important as it will determine the suitability of the tree for the position and the form in which you intend to grow it. Please find below a list of rootstocks and their characteristics.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new rootstock similar in vigour to St Julien A. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Good tolernce of both drought and waterlogging. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new rootstock suitable for peaches, nectarines and almonds. Can be used for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Stake for the first 5 years.
Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and poor soils. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees.
Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and poor soils. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees.
A new semi-dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons, apricots and peaches. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively dry conditions. Stake for the first 5 years
A new rootstock suitable for apricots. Can be used for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new apricot rootstock slightly less vigorous than St Julien A. Better compatibility with apricots with alternative rootstocks currently in use which are not apricot.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Similar vigour to VVA-1 but more drought tolerant.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new semi-dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons, apricots and peaches. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively dry conditions. Stake for the first 5 years
A new rootstock similar in vigour to St Julien A. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Good tolernce of both drought and waterlogging. Stake for the first 5 years.
Good fertile soil. Ground should be cleared of weeds and grass. Staking required for the first 5 years. Very sensitive to systemic herbicides such as Glyphosate the use of which should be avoided around young trees.
A new cherry rootstock similar in vigour to Colt. Suitable for a wide range of soils including relatively poor soils and grassed orchards. Stake for first 3 years particularly if planted as 2/3 year trees.
Suitable for a wide range of soils including relatively poor soils and grassed orchards. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees.
Suitable for a wide range of soils including poor soils and grassed orchards. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Similar vigour to VVA-1 but more drought tolerant.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new semi-dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons, apricots and peaches. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively dry conditions. Stake for the first 5 years
Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and poor soils. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees.
Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and poor soils. Staking preferable but not necessary if planted as a one year old. Stake for first 3 years if planted as 2/3 year trees.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Similar vigour to VVA-1 but more drought tolerant.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new semi-dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons, apricots and peaches. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively dry conditions. Stake for the first 5 years
A new rootstock similar in vigour to St Julien A. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Good tolernce of both drought and waterlogging. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new semi-vigorous pear rootstock less vigorous than seedling pear. Can be used for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil, chalk and grassed orchards. Stake for the first 5 years.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is commonly used as a rootstock for medlars. Suitable for a wide range of soils including grassed orchards and relatively poor soils. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new rootstock similar in vigour to St Julien A. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Good tolernce of both drought and waterlogging. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new rootstock suitable for peaches, nectarines and almonds. Can be used for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new rootstock similar in vigour to St Julien A. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Good tolernce of both drought and waterlogging. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new rootstock suitable for peaches, nectarines and almonds. Can be used for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new semi-vigorous pear rootstock less vigorous than seedling pear. Can be used for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil, chalk and grassed orchards. Stake for the first 5 years.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Similar vigour to VVA-1 but more drought tolerant.
A new dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons and peaches. Requires good fertile soil and ground cleared of weeds and grass. Stake for the first 5 years. Requires watering in dry conditions.
A new semi-dwarfing rootstock for plums, damsons, apricots and peaches. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively dry conditions. Stake for the first 5 years
A new rootstock similar in vigour to St Julien A. Suitable for most soil conditions including relatively poor soil and grassed orchards. Good tolernce of both drought and waterlogging. Stake for the first 5 years.