Scion swap

[It never rains..it pours]

As a family tree fan, just wondering if the forum members will be having a scion swap this winter/spring ?

[Florence Fennel]

I had to Google that!

[It never rains..it pours]

For me adding scion is a low cost, very space efficient, pollination helpful way, short time to producition, to try many varieties that also spread the harvest window

[Ellesbells]

Just out of interest, what size of rootstock would be suitable for starting a family tree, or do you need a more established tree to begin with?

My only experience with grafting has been with my 100+ year old apple, it's a wonderful tree and I wanted to make some spares in case of a disaster. It's a bit of an unknown, although I sent it off for indentification years ago, the closest they could come to was that it was a relative of the Blenheim Orange.

All the trees i've planted along my apple fence have either been local varieties or very old, but I love the idea of collecting more unusual and historic apples, especially if you could have multiple varieties on one rootstock. Can you have too much fruit??

[ChingfordHarry]

Just out of interest, what size of rootstock would be suitable for starting a family tree, or do you need a more established tree to begin with?

Just my two ha'porth!

The really important thing is to get (and maintain) cambium:cambium contact - as long as you have that, the size or age of the "rootstock" is probably of secondary importance). A few cells in contact is often enough, from what I've read.

i gave away a tree a couple years ago and noticed that it's got three good-looking shoots about a pencil thickness growing out of the rootstock about 15-20 cm above the ground - crying out to be turned into a family tree, but that's for its new owner to decide!

I have a Bramley and a James Grieve that are both about 20 years old; I've been adding new varieties onto them for the last few years (Bramley now has a Rev. W. Wilkes, and will soon get a Norfolk Beefing; the JG has a Norfolk Royal Russet, Telstar and Laxton's Favourite).

[It never rains..it pours]

Ellesbells, I don't think the root stock size matters. The root stock selection should be more about the size of tree you wish to have

If you graft to an established tree/root the new grafted branch will fruit quicker

[JoaoLeaftide]

Worth checking with local fruit societies too — some run organised scion swaps in January/February which is ideal timing. I've found they often have heritage varieties you'd never find in a nursery.

[ChingfordHarry]

It's a really good idea to go to one or a few "apple days" (usually early - mid October; other fruits have festivals at (usually) other times...) before you make your choice and find out about varieties that may be local to your area, or unusual varieties with interesting flavours - apples with a hint of aniseed or pineapple, for example.

The National Fruit Collection in Brogdale (Faversham in Kent) will sell you scions for ~£5 each of their ~2500 varieties - I've found them extremely helpful. They also do a really good apple day when you can "try the apples before you buy".

I buy a lot of my apples from an orchard (Cam Valley Orchards, near Cambridge/Royston - shameless plug!) which has given me scion wood from their heritage orchard - thanks Nicky and Tim!