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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: essexkit on October 11, 2017, 11:49:13

Title: Stepover fruit tree recommendations?
Post by: essexkit on October 11, 2017, 11:49:13

I am looking forward to giving my double plot a makeover and would like to incorporate some stepover fruit trees.Does anyone have any advice please.I am based in East Mids and adventurous in my tastes! One I would like is a quince : )

Title: Re: Stepover fruit tree recommendations?
Post by: cambourne7 on October 11, 2017, 17:12:01

ken muir sells these and will have these available to look at and ask questions on there open apple day which is quite soon

Title: Re: Stepover fruit tree recommendations?
Post by: Beersmith on October 11, 2017, 23:25:37

Isn't the answer in your own hands?

First step, ask yourself what fruit do you like? Apples, apricots, plums, peaches, pears, mulberry?  Second step, research which fruits can be grown on a rootstock that is amenable to pruning and growing as a step over. Lots of fruits can be pruned to attractive shapes, but a step over is a very restricted shape. This may be the key issue.

For example one of the most dwarfing root stock for a peaches and apricots is VVA, but it will produce a mature tree about 8 feet tall. Could this be grown successfully as a step over? Well I do not know but I suspect it would be difficult, and I also suspect the yield may also be very restricted.

But hey, you will never know until you try! Why not simply go for it!
 

Title: Re: Stepover fruit tree recommendations?
Post by: Vinlander on October 12, 2017, 09:36:36

I would guess that step-overs suffer more from slugs & snails - I wouldn't attempt to be a trailblazer for apricots, peaches,nectarines.

In fact I would be looking for an apple with thick skin and very little aroma outside the fruit - unfortunately I can't think of any that I actually like the flavour of... eg. the skin of Gala tastes disgusting (a good thing maybe in this context)  but the inside tastes of not much at all - compared to the knockout flavours you could be tasting from a cordon eg. Ashmeads Kernel (AGM).

Cheers.

Title: Re: Stepover fruit tree recommendations?
Post by: Obelixx on October 12, 2017, 11:20:15

Both Alan T and Geoff H liked to use stepover apples as bed edging, especially in the veggie plot of kitchen garden.  I think the main concerns will be the correct dwarfing rootstock and having pollinator varieties available to get a good crop.

Title: Re: Stepover fruit tree recommendations?
Post by: essexkit on October 13, 2017, 09:41:59

I will research some more...I believe M27 rootstock would be okay.I like a tasty apple and have a Russet already but there are a lot of apples on our site already so pollination shouldnt be a problem.I will check out Ken Muirs website...thank you.

I like the decorative aspect of stepover fruit trees for edging and have purchased a Gage and Medlar too as these fruit are rarely seen in shops. With too much time on my hands I am looking forward to trialling green manure and no dig beds. I am a newbie but loving the challenges!

Thanks guys