Rootstocks for Grafting
Selecting Rootstocks for Propagating Fruit Trees by Grafting
Note that as the season progresses nurseries may run out of certain high-demand rootstocks. This is why several rootstock sources are given at the bottom of this page.
Apples
If you live in an area with the risk of fire blight, you should use one of the Geneva rootstocks (designated with a "G." then a number -- e.g., G.41) which also are very cold-hardy and resistant to other diseases besides fire blight. The biggest selection of Geneva rootstock for retail orders (under 50) is available from Cummins Nursery (NY State). Look especially at G.41 (M9 size), G.969 (M7 size), and G890 (MM 104/106 size). If you want a full-sized, slow-bearing tree, then you should select Antonovka because of its cold-hardiness and good root system. However, unless you are grafting a blight resistant cultivar, you have given up some blight resistance by not using a Geneva series rootstock. You can find out about the degree of size control (dwarfing) and preciosity induced by each of the Geneva series rootstocks at the Cummins Nursery website. Washington State University has some information about the excellent productivity of the Geneva rootstocks at its horticulture site. Their 2017 evaluation report recommends the G. 14 for a M9 size of dwarf tree.
Unless you are using virus-free scion wood, avoid G. 935 because of reported poor performance due to viruses.
Pears
If you live in an area with fire blight you you should only use one of the OHxF rootstocks which also are very cold-hardy and resistant to other diseases besides fire blight. OHxF 97 is the largest, followed by OHxF 87 and OHxF 333. Although the OHxF selections are the most widely used rootstocks for both European and Asian pear varieties, some nurseries may also carry fire blight resistant Pyrus Betulaefolia and Pyrus Ussuriensis rootstock for grafting Asian pear cultivars to produce full-sized trees (Asian pears tend to have some dwarfing when propagated on OHxF95). Don't get Quince rootstock for pears because of its susceptibility to fire blight.
Stone Fruit
Compatibility can be an issue when selecting rootstock for peaches, nectarines, apricots, Japanese plums, and interspecifics (hybrids). Pay attention to cautionary words like "usually", "tend", "some", "most", "regarded", etc.
Peach rootstock (Lovell, Nemaguard, Halford, and Bailey) tend to have the widest compatibility and can be used with peaches, nectarines, apricots, both Japanese and European plums, and interspecifics. Gives a full-sized tree.
St. Julian A is precocious,size controlling, and hardy. It is a versatile rootstock for stone fruit because it can be used for peaches, apricots, plums, and interspecifics. It gives a tree about 75% of standard size. I have been very satisfied with the compatibility, size control, and precocity as a rootstock for a wide assortment of stone fruit.
Myrobalan (and its clonal variant, Myro 29C) is compatible with all European plums, some Japanese plums, and some apricots. Usually regarded as incompatible with peaches.
Marianna 26-24 and GF8-1 are compatible with most Japanese plums and interspecifics, plus European plums. Usually regarded as incompatible with peaches and probably most apricots.
Krymsk 1 (also known as VVA 1) is compatible with European plums, many Japanese plums, and maybe some interspecifics. Mixed compatibility with apricots (but I would err on the side of caution for apricots and assumed they are incompatible.
Prunus americana is compatible with Japanese plums, probably many peaches, and probably many interspecifics. Is probably incompatible with most European plums. Probably incompatible with most apricots.
Prunus armeniaca is an apricot seedling that should be compatible with all apricots.
Mazzard cherry rootstock is compatible with nearly all sweet cherries and most tart cherries.
Mahaleb cherry rootstock is compatible with nearly all tart cherries and many sweet cherries.
Krymsk 5 is a size controlling cherry rootstock compatible with most sweet and tart cherries. Krymsk 5 also provides some precocity.
The Gisela series (Gisela 3, 5, 6, and 12 are used in the U.S.) of cherry rootstocks is compatible with most sweet and tart cherries. Cherries on Gisela rootstock are usually precocious and productive.
For information on cherry rootstocks and management of cherry canopy see the Oregon State University report here.
Sources of Rootstock
Burnt Ridge Nursery
CopenHaven Farms
Cummins Nursery
Fedco Trees
Grandpa's Orchard
Lincoln Oaks Nursery
Maple Valley Orchards and Nursery
Masonville Orchard
One Green World
Rain Tree Nursery
Note that as the season progresses nurseries may run out of certain high-demand rootstocks. This is why several rootstock sources are given at the bottom of this page.
Apples
If you live in an area with the risk of fire blight, you should use one of the Geneva rootstocks (designated with a "G." then a number -- e.g., G.41) which also are very cold-hardy and resistant to other diseases besides fire blight. The biggest selection of Geneva rootstock for retail orders (under 50) is available from Cummins Nursery (NY State). Look especially at G.41 (M9 size), G.969 (M7 size), and G890 (MM 104/106 size). If you want a full-sized, slow-bearing tree, then you should select Antonovka because of its cold-hardiness and good root system. However, unless you are grafting a blight resistant cultivar, you have given up some blight resistance by not using a Geneva series rootstock. You can find out about the degree of size control (dwarfing) and preciosity induced by each of the Geneva series rootstocks at the Cummins Nursery website. Washington State University has some information about the excellent productivity of the Geneva rootstocks at its horticulture site. Their 2017 evaluation report recommends the G. 14 for a M9 size of dwarf tree.
Unless you are using virus-free scion wood, avoid G. 935 because of reported poor performance due to viruses.
Pears
If you live in an area with fire blight you you should only use one of the OHxF rootstocks which also are very cold-hardy and resistant to other diseases besides fire blight. OHxF 97 is the largest, followed by OHxF 87 and OHxF 333. Although the OHxF selections are the most widely used rootstocks for both European and Asian pear varieties, some nurseries may also carry fire blight resistant Pyrus Betulaefolia and Pyrus Ussuriensis rootstock for grafting Asian pear cultivars to produce full-sized trees (Asian pears tend to have some dwarfing when propagated on OHxF95). Don't get Quince rootstock for pears because of its susceptibility to fire blight.
Stone Fruit
Compatibility can be an issue when selecting rootstock for peaches, nectarines, apricots, Japanese plums, and interspecifics (hybrids). Pay attention to cautionary words like "usually", "tend", "some", "most", "regarded", etc.
Peach rootstock (Lovell, Nemaguard, Halford, and Bailey) tend to have the widest compatibility and can be used with peaches, nectarines, apricots, both Japanese and European plums, and interspecifics. Gives a full-sized tree.
St. Julian A is precocious,size controlling, and hardy. It is a versatile rootstock for stone fruit because it can be used for peaches, apricots, plums, and interspecifics. It gives a tree about 75% of standard size. I have been very satisfied with the compatibility, size control, and precocity as a rootstock for a wide assortment of stone fruit.
Myrobalan (and its clonal variant, Myro 29C) is compatible with all European plums, some Japanese plums, and some apricots. Usually regarded as incompatible with peaches.
Marianna 26-24 and GF8-1 are compatible with most Japanese plums and interspecifics, plus European plums. Usually regarded as incompatible with peaches and probably most apricots.
Krymsk 1 (also known as VVA 1) is compatible with European plums, many Japanese plums, and maybe some interspecifics. Mixed compatibility with apricots (but I would err on the side of caution for apricots and assumed they are incompatible.
Prunus americana is compatible with Japanese plums, probably many peaches, and probably many interspecifics. Is probably incompatible with most European plums. Probably incompatible with most apricots.
Prunus armeniaca is an apricot seedling that should be compatible with all apricots.
Mazzard cherry rootstock is compatible with nearly all sweet cherries and most tart cherries.
Mahaleb cherry rootstock is compatible with nearly all tart cherries and many sweet cherries.
Krymsk 5 is a size controlling cherry rootstock compatible with most sweet and tart cherries. Krymsk 5 also provides some precocity.
The Gisela series (Gisela 3, 5, 6, and 12 are used in the U.S.) of cherry rootstocks is compatible with most sweet and tart cherries. Cherries on Gisela rootstock are usually precocious and productive.
For information on cherry rootstocks and management of cherry canopy see the Oregon State University report here.
Sources of Rootstock
Burnt Ridge Nursery
CopenHaven Farms
Cummins Nursery
Fedco Trees
Grandpa's Orchard
Lincoln Oaks Nursery
Maple Valley Orchards and Nursery
Masonville Orchard
One Green World
Rain Tree Nursery