What is a rootstock?
The rootstock consists of the root portion of a tree,( in this case the loquat) that has been grafted onto what’s known as the scion wood i.e apple.
The lower part is called the rootstock and is used to form the roots of the fruit tree. This part of the tree controls how tall the tree will grow.
The scion wood determines the variety of apples and contains the DNA for everything above the graft at the base of the tree.
A scion is the upper portion of a graft which is responsible for characteristics such as fruit type, flavor and color.
This allows you to get the best traits of both the rootstock and the scion wood that were grafted together.
The rootstock you use influences the size, vigor, disease resistance and other factors for the tree.
Rootstock is selected based on the various sizes and trait they offer.
loquats rootstocks
With loquats as the rootstock the plant(grafted apples with loquats rootstock) grows well on a variety of soils of moderate fertility, from light sandy loam to heavy clay and even oolite limestone, but needs good drainage.
Grafting percentage of apples on loquats rootstocks is higher with over 98% success rate.
Advantages of grafted apples with loquats rootstock
- They will provide you with a guaranteed variety like Honeycrisp or Gala apples.
- They are pest and disease resistance.
- They are able to withstand cold climates.
- Also, the grafted plant requires a smaller space than the seedling plant. Seed propagated plants are taller than their grafted counterparts which are generally dwarf and require a smaller planting space.
Note;
Unlike other Apples, grafted apples with loquats rootstock are both tropical and temperate.
They start bearing after year, they are grafted with wild Loquats hence hardy.
They fruit throughout the year under good management and are Dwarf, hence doesn’t require much space