For plums

WAVIT® Prudom

A plum rootstock from early plum seedlings from Wangenheim, specially selected for modern apricot cultivation. Since Wangenheim's seedlings grow quite differently, we have been trying for a long time to get this very robust rootstock more homogeneous.

The first step was to produce nuclei only from a completely isolated virus- and phytoplasma-free semen donor unit, where Wangenheims can only fertilize itself (WaxWa). This has led to much more uniform rootstocks. Nevertheless, this generative multiplication leads to splitting, where certain types (SPURTYPEN) appear again and again, which then grow extremely weakly and produce smaller fruits. Individual track types repeatedly lead to affinity problems, especially with apricots.

That is why clones were selected in several places in Europe and propagated vegetatively. The most successful and widely used one is WAVIT® Prudom.

Through in-vitro-propagation, WAVIT produces an absolutely uniform weak growth which is approx. 10 % below that of Torinel and GF 655-2. On good, vigorous soils, Wavit is the best base for modern apricot cultivation, peach rootstocks or myrobalan clones are preferred in dry locations. WAVIT is robust against chlorosis and root embroidery and, like Wangenheims in general, makes very healthy, long-lived trees. A good affinity with all apricot varieties in our range, early and high yields, the absence of root rashes and their climatic robustness ensure rapid expansion.

ST. JULIEN A

Even though the St. Julien GF 655-2 was favoured in the 1990s due to its high performance, it became necessary to recognize that for reasons of tree health St. Julien A must be given preference. St. Julien A is well suited for heavy and moist plum, apricot and peach soils. The growth is medium strong, slightly weaker than Jaspy Fereley, but stronger than WaxWa and WaVit.

WANGENHEIMS (WaxWa)

Wangenheims was already used as a rootstock for apricots and plums in the interwar and post-war period. Since it usually grew too weak for the then half and tall stems and the individual tree yield was naturally lower with these wide planting distances, the more strongly growing Myrobalan and Brompton rootstocks were preferred. The new intensive planting systems - i.e. plum spindles with 1000 - 1500 trees per hectare - make this rootstock very important again. In addition to very good fruit quality and early yield start, we see the greatest advantage that Wangenheims does not make suckers. All seedling propagated rootstocks have the disadvantage that they do not grow as homogeneously as vegetatively propagated rootstocks (hard wood cutting, in vitro and other methods). In the case of Wangenheim seedlings, it is particularly important that the seeds are placed in a sperm donor unit that is completely isolated from other varieties. Because of their self-fertility (Wangenheims x Wangenheims = WaxWa), rootstocks that grow relatively uniformly and weaker than GF 655-2 and Jaspy® fereley are achieved.

A completely new in-vitro propagated Wangenheims, which grows absolutely uniformly, will come onto the market in the future. WAVIT® Prudom is considerably more expensive (like Gisela 5) than seedling due to the meristem propagation, which pays off due to the uniform growth (no trace types), the good acceptance of the quality buds and the high frost resistance already in the nursery. Besides the uniform, weak growth, the lack of root sprouts, the early and high yields and the high climatic robustness pay off for the fruit growers. In many regions the plum tree dying (Valsa, Pseudomonas,...) causes great concern. For this reason, Jaspi fereley should not be planted in any storage locations. It is better to refine sensitive varieties on the very robust WAVIT® (20 cm and above).

Wavit is the ideal plum rootstock for intensive planting systems on good, vigorous, plum-bearing soils. On dry, poor sites, Wavit is too productive and, like many rootstocks that reduce growth, rapidly reduces fruit size when overcovered.

JASPY® FERELEY

This Prunus domestica hybrid (P.salicina x P.spinosa) was considered one of the most promising plum rootstocks. It grows slightly stronger in the first time than St. Julien A, but very quickly reduces its growth due to the very rapid start and increase in yield. It yields 10 to 20 % higher yields than GF 8/1 and 655-2, with positive effects on fruit quality and size. It has good stability and does not form suckers, but increases rashes at the root neck. In areas where the the cold accumulates over some time, Valsa and Pseudomonas can enter and lead to the feared plum tree death.