19
Reproducing old tree varieties (sopuli.xyz)
submitted 10 months ago by qyron@sopuli.xyz to c/gardening@lemmy.world
19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have a small plot of land where a few old trees exist.

For what I could gather, these are heirloom trees no longer commercially available, probably even local varieties: one pear (possibly two), one apricot, one peach and one cherry tree.

I would like to reproduce these trees without the need to use root stock.

Talking with arborists always returned the same kind of answer: not commercially viable, too long to obtain fruiting trees and even an argument that the new trees would become "wild" and never bear fruit or only bear unedible fruit. This one I find particularly wild...

Does anyone have any sort of experience trying this? Can anyone recommend a technique?

I've read about a technique that recommends wrapping branches in cloth, with a lump of soil in contact with the wood to promote rooting but the trees I want to prioritize are not eligible for it as they are extremely old, with very thin and frail branches.

Are there any others you would recommend or suggest?

all 20 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] PlantJam@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

What is your goal? Are you trying to maintain these exact varietals for sentimental reasons? Or do you just want good tasting fruit?

Root stock is a legitimate concern. If the existing trees are clones grown on root stock, any new plants grown from cuttings may not do well. I say that because if the main plant were able to thrive without root stock, it likely would have been grown that way in the first place.

Once you clarify your goals we should be able to provide some suggestions.

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 4 points 10 months ago

It's essentially impossible to determine if at some point any of the trees was multiplied by cloning or came true from seed. All are well over the 70/80 years old mark and whoever originally planted us long dead and buried.

I have no reason to say clones would not be able to thrive. I have the patience and room to care for whatever number of clones necessary to maintain these trees, for how long it takes for the plants to mature enough to withstand transplanting to open ground.

All of the trees bear fruit as is and all is of good quality so maintaining the trees is both an effort to maintain heirloom varieties and have good quality fruit. I have no commercial objective.

[-] sevan@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

The propagation method you mentioned is called air layering and it might work for you if done right (lots of videos out there show how to do it). Another possible option is taking cuttings from new growth (lots of videos on this too). Some trees respond better than others to each method. You could also try taking seeds from the fruit and growing them, but if the source tree was grafted, the seeds won't give you what you're looking for and you won't know for a very long time.

I would probably start with cuttings unless the trees need to be pruned anyway, in which case I would put some air layers on the branches that need to be pruned. As mentioned, the tree may not be as hardy on its own roots if it was grafted, but many grafted trees are just fine on their own roots.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

If they are old trees. Might not have been grafted.

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 1 points 10 months ago

Even if the fruit bearing wood was grafted onto a root stock, let's take has an example a pear grafted onto a quince, seeds taken from the pear would manifest the gene pool of the pear. Quince genes would not manifest. But I wouldn't get the exact same pears I would be taking seeds from due to genetic recombination. Cloning is the only option.

The only tree I think is apt for getting air layering is the cherry but the others are too frail to have their branches loaded, so I'll try taking cuttings first.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Why not just take cuttings ? I assume you can grow pear from cuttings. Not sure on the others

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 1 points 10 months ago

Cuttings just requires taking endings of branchs and setting it on soil, correct?

The pear tree is on the top of the priority list.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

No not really. Depending on type of tree. Can look at softwood or hardwood cuttings. Depending on climate and soil type.

If the trees gas new growth then that's a good place to start. Season also impacts cuttings.

They are kinda hit or miss. But they are generally the easiest to work with and will be true to parent. As long as branch is above graft line. Don't take cuttings from the bottom of trunk.

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

So it is essentially taking away some snips from the endings of last year fruiting branches, stick it in soil and hope for the best.

I'll try that.

Hardwood or softwood? Isn't that usually a sorting system for lumber?

I live in a mountain area, near 800 meters altitude, so cold and wet winters but hot and dry summers. The area is still considered volcanic origin but so old it doesn't really matters anymore. I think I need to have soil tested for acurate profilling, when it is properly clean.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Pretty much. Use rooting hormone for better results.

You can't really go wrong. Just experiment and find what soil the tree likes and it's preferred climate.

Just means the age of the shoot. If it's established it would be hard whereas new growth is green and soft. Both have pros and cons.

I'm currently playing around with grape vine cuttings. Hardwoods seem harder to get going but do better in the long run.

The pear tree is established so it should react well to climate and soil.

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 2 points 10 months ago

I'm going to risk and take a few cuttings as soon as possible, take a few shovels of soil from around the tree, fill some pots and stick the cuttings there.

I have a patio where I can keep the plants more closely watched and tended.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Check out YouTube vids how to do it. Take your time.

Can always ask an expert how to do it

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 2 points 10 months ago

I have talked with a few so-called experts but the focus is always on why my interest on such old trees, when I have much more commercially viable varieties readily available, and/or the work and time invested is not economically worthy of the effort.

It's a die hard mentality of turning a profit when my concern is conservation.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Fair enough. Don't see why it would make a difference. If they just use the same techniques. Would be same process. Can ask them to show you the profitable variety and then just use the same for any other tree

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 2 points 10 months ago

They want me to chuck aside my trees to buy from them.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Don't sound like experts then. More salesman.

Once you have a single tree you have unlimited trees. Can take cuttings for life.

[-] qyron@sopuli.xyz 2 points 10 months ago

That's the experts I have available, unfortunately. Amateur gardeners no longer worry developing the skills others would as it has become simpler to just buy trees from nurseries. The professionals become formatted.

[-] Mojojojo1993@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

True but hobbyist would

this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2024
19 points (100.0% liked)

Gardening

3493 readers
98 users here now

Your Ultimate Gardening Guide.

Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
scarabic@lemmy.world
sabbah@lemmy.world
ManamaKhan@lemmy.world
Spacebar@lemmy.world
Bitswap@lemmy.world