Rootstock compatibility for different types of tree

Make sure you are using the correct rootstock or host tree for your scions or you will be wasting your time

Graft success can vary by cultivar, age, technique, and local growing conditions. Incompatibility may not show immediately—sometimes it takes a few years before graft union failure.

Using interstems can help bridge between incompatible species.

If you're planning a multi-graft tree or trialling unusual grafts, it’s wise to test compatibility with small numbers first and monitor graft unions over time.

Rootstock	Scion
Almond Although they prefer well-drained, deep, loamy soils, they will tolerate other soil types, including poor soils, as long as they are not wet or poorly draining, which they absolutely cannot abide.	Almond, Peach, Nectarine, Asian Plum, Apricot (prefers own apricot rootstock), European Plum (many varieties incompatible), Ume, Plumcot
Apple a range of heights from 3 - 10 meters	Apple, Medlar, Quince, European Pear
Apricot	Apricot, Plumcot, Ume, European Plum (most varieties incompatible), Peach (short-lived), Nectarine (short-lived), Asian Plum
Asian Pear	Nashi (Asian pear), Asian pear hybrids, European pear (fruit quality affected, some partial or delayed incompatibility)
Cherry	Sweet Cherry, Sour Cherry
Cherry Plum / Asian Plum Tolerate much wetter soils than other stonefruit	Asian Plum, European Plum (some varieties incompatible), Plumcot, Ume
European Pear Can grow to heights of 13 meters	European Pear, Northern Spy Apple only, Hawthorn (various species), Medlar (imperfectly compatible), Nashi (Asian pear)
Peach	Peach, Nectarine, European Plum (short-lived, many varieties incompatible), Almond, Ume, Apricot (prefers own apricot rootstock), Plumcot, Asian Plum
Quince Used to grow dwarf pears at around 4 meters	Quince, Loquat (dwarfing), Pear Incompatible pear cultivars, requires an interstock of compatible pear. Learn more about producing dwarf pears here. Bartlett Bosc Seckel Winter Nelis Eldorado Clapp's Favorite Forelle Farmingdale Compatible pear cultivars Beurre Hardy - I have had good success with this Anjou Comice Old Home Packham's Triumph Gorham Flemish Beauty Maxine

2 pictures - click to enlarge

Grafting Loquat

Details After several seasons of failure with established, outdoor trees I refined my technique.
Finally I can report on my successful attempts at grafting improved varieties of loquat onto seedling grown trees, both indoors in pots as well as outdoor trees up to 12 years old.

The summary:

Switched from whip and tongue to cleft technique for the graft union
Covered entire scion with buddy tape
On outdoor grafts enclose in plastic bread bag for several weeks

Date April 22, 2024

Tags grafting loquat

Olmec Sinclair

Lear More

Quince root stock for grafting dwarf pear and loquat

Botanical name Cydonia oblonga

Details Quinces are used as a root stock for producing dwarf pears, loquat and other quinces.

Root stocks can be created from root suckers, stool bed or seeds from overripe fruit planted in late autumn.

Flowers White

Fruit / berries

Tags graft dwarf fruit tree pear

Benefits

The primary benefits are smaller trees that fruit sooner

Negatives

Many cultivars of pear are not directly compatible with quince and require double grafting with a compatible interstock
Pears grafted on quince have shorter lifespan than on seedling grown root stocks
Quince trees are prone to suckering, sending up growth from around the base of the tree and near damaged roots. These can be used as rootstocks.

Watch Variety compatibility

Multi grafted fruit trees - Combine your favourite varieties on a single tree

Imagine a single tree with apples of many flavours, ripening from March to June, or combining apricots, plums and peaches.

A great way to save space and spread the yield over a longer harvest time.

While there is no limit to the number of different cultivars that can be supported from a single root system there are several considerations or complications that arise:

Differing growth rates can result in one type becoming overly dominant
Each additional variety increases the complexity of pruning

If you'd like extra flavours added to your existing fruit trees you can teach yourself to graft or talk to us and we may be able to help.

Watch Learn How

Grafting calendar

There are 2 main activities related to grafting that are season and weather specific.

Collecting desired varieties of scion wood from healthy trees while they are dormant. For deciduous fruit and nut trees this is mid winter or late June to July in New Zealand
Grafting the stored scions onto the appropriate rootstocks in early to mid spring when growth is commencing. Here in North Canterbury this is from early August to to mid October.

Correct timing is only part of the grafting process. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the technique, compatibility and after care for the best results.

grafting calendar

Olmec Sinclair

Learn More

Grafting After Care

In the weeks and months after completing the graft it is important to check back and follow up with basic care to ensure the graft stays healthy and has the best chance for success.

It is usually obvious after a couple of weeks if the graft has failed as it will have dried and shrunken. If the wood looks alive and the buds are full or opening then there is a good chance your graft will take.
Remove active growth and buds from below the graft point as this will take energy required by the healing graft.
If any of the buds on the freshly grafted wood are blossoms then these should be removed. Just pinch them off carefully with fingernails or clip with secateurs. This allows the branch to focus on healing the union and prevents any breakage caused by heavy fruit. This may be necessary on the following year also, depending on the style and state of the graft.
When the graft is part of a larger tree consider periodic pruning or bending down of old wood to encourage development of grafted part(s)
After several months check grafting tape / bindings are not strangling / girdling the healing graft. Some tapes are biodegradable and will split or peel after exposure to summer sun, others require manual splitting with a sharp blade to release the pressure.
Excessive sun and wind exposure can dessicate or dislodge grafts. If your rootstock is in a pot keep it in a sheltered location until the union is solid. A high humidity environment is ideal.

November December October

grafting