View Full Version : Multiple Varieties Grafted On An Apple Tree
I want to plant one of those with 3 to as many as 5 varieties on a single tree this spring. I know its come up in conversation here before, but I couldn't find it in the past threads. My local guys just look like deer in the headlights when I ask them. If any of you who previously posted sources for these reads this could you pass along the name of the supplier? Thank you!!!
Stark Brothers is the king of mail order fruit trees. This one has 2 varieties of apple, I didn't look any further in their online catalog of trees so there may be trees with multiple varieties.
http://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/apple-trees/stark-double-delicious-apple
I've never planted one of these. I've heard that without careful pruning, one variety can easily take over the tree. Also, most that I've seen only use varieties that are hardy in zone 5 or warmer... so check each variety carefully. Stark Bros. is located in the south and does not have most of the hardier apples. My preference when ordering fruit trees is to find a supplier in my region who is familiar with local climate, insects, and diseases. What is your geographic region?
A company in New York state used to have the 5-N-1 apples.
Local nurseries sometimes have 3-N-1. I don't think I've ever seen them at big box stores though.
You could graft them yourself. You can get scions from Seed Savers or NAFEX or your area may have exchanges. The most different apple varieties I have heard of on one tree is 40.
And it is really important to be fully alert when pruning as one snip can delete an entire variety. also don't prune off a limb that didn't bloom. It might be a later variety that hasn't bloomed yet. Another challenge is to find some way of labeling your limbs that doesn't constrict the limb or blow away. It also helps to make a drawing of the tree and label the limbs in the drawing as to what they are. Labeled photos could work as well.
The tree looks interesting when blooming and when the fruit is ripe as different limbs are doing different things.
What is your geographic region?
We're on the northern edge of USDA Hardiness Zone 5b.
ApatheticNoMore
4-2-13, 1:26pm
If the issue is space could also just grow several different trees in espailer style to grow them in minimal space (and of course dwarf varities - whether or not you espailer them).
I've heard that without careful pruning, one variety can easily take over the tree.
yea I've heard of this, one variety being much more vigorous than the others.
Space is absolutely an issue for us so no multiple trees.
Space is absolutely an issue for us so no multiple trees.
Check out Starks columnar apples. I think the foot print is literally a foot. And perhaps you could plant them in tubs or barrels on a patio or some such. I've never grown one as space isn't an issue with us, but if what I read is true, they produce pretty well.
ApatheticNoMore
4-2-13, 4:34pm
Check out Starks columnar apples. I think the foot print is literally a foot. And perhaps you could plant them in tubs or barrels on a patio or some such. I've never grown one as space isn't an issue with us, but if what I read is true, they produce pretty well.
Oh yea the columnar apples, I've read you can even grow them in large containers (of course most things are better grown in the ground, that's more for condo and apartment dwellers).
And this is what you can acheive with espailering, apples growing against a wall or even the property fence:
http://www.garden.org/ediblelandscaping/?page=201104-how-to
It's all about the variety, you can't use full sized apple trees for this (apples grafted on to full size rootstock) - you have to find out exactly how big your apple tree is going to grow. Growing multiple varieties is better as most apples will produce more with a cross polinator, apparently some apples are self-pollinating though. I've seen an apple tree produce massive crops with no cross polinator in sight, but one may be nearby and hiding.
Don't expect those columnar apple trees to produce much. We've got 4 of them and they will, occasionally, produce 1 ornamental apple for show. Even last year when all of the apple trees produced like crazy, they weren't able to muster fruit. Mainly they are a conversation piece for us, DH likes to show them off.
Really, the best thing you can do it find one apple tree that grows very very well in your area--a dwarf or miniature-- and plant it. The fancy stuff usually is more trouble than it is worth. And the miniatures often are not plus ours don't produce much. Go for a tried and true dwarf variety.
Here's a company that provides 5-N-1 apple, pear, and a "fruit cocktail" tree that produces peaches, plums, and other fruits.
http://www.eburgess.com/detail.asp?pid=6123
A fruit cocktail tree...now that's funny! Generally I'm with Iris about the k.i.s.s. method, but in this case I do like the idea of a little more variety. At the new place we will only have room for one fruit tree so we're looking to make the most of it. I'll check out Stark and Burgess and see if I can learn a little more about what to expect from these trees. It may still be that for overall yield that a standard dwarf is going to beat them all. Thanks for all the tips everyone!
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