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  • #1

    Training a stepover

    Hi all, first post here.

    I've just bench grafted 9 apples onto a mix of m27, m9 and m26.

    Due to space I'm planning on training some as stepovers. I understand that standard method for this, taking a 1 year maiden and heading while dormant to height of wires etc.

    As these are bench grafts, is there any reason why I shouldn't save myself a year and let 2 buds grow and start to train the stepover this year?

    Many thanks

    Dave
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  • #2
    That is correct. You would conventionally head a 1yr maiden to the height of the wire.

    However on a random set of grafts that I have done over the years, I sometimes get one bud that breaks, and sometimes 2 buds that break. So keep an eye out for those where 2 buds break and you could train those as stepovers.

    Don't be too keen to get the 2 branches horizontal as they grow stronger in an upright position, but then be sure the get them horizontal towards the end of the season, while still supple, before they 'set'.
    The more help a man has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.
    William M. Davies

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    • #3
      Stepover

      Thanks.

      2 of the trees already have 2 buds breaking on each of them 😃.

      Do you think the M26 trees would be trainable as a large stepover? The recommendation seems to be for M27 but we wandered around the walled gardens at Clumber at the weekend and they had some huge stepovers.

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      • #4
        The first time I attempted stepovers, I could only get the varieties I wanted on M9 (which isnt too dissimilar to M26). I trained them as stepovers, but they were more like 18ins to 2ft high (which is a big step), but basically just one level of an espalier. Now they are about 5ft in each direction, and need a prune in the summer but arent really a problem.

        So worth a go with the M26 I'd say. They may need a good prune in the summer, which is needed on trained fruit anyway, but that will only encourage fruit spurs to be created.

        Good luck.
        The more help a man has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.
        William M. Davies

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        • #5
          Quiet a few of the grafts now have 2 buds developing so I should have plenty of choice for 2 or 3 stepovers.

          Good tip about not being too keen to get them horizontal.

          Thanks

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