Pear Rootstock Selection

[144]

After having some success with persimmon grafting this year thanks to the guys on this forum, I’m planning to try my hand at grafting pears. I’m in the Deep South, is there a particular rootstock that would be best for my area? Any suggestion on where to purchase the rootstock?

I was looking at OHxF 97 at Raintree Nursery and Cummins Nursery. Not sure if that is best, looking for any suggestions...

144


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[Merle Hawggard]

After having some success with persimmon grafting this year thanks to the guys on this forum, I’m planning to try my hand at grafting pears. I’m in the Deep South, is there a particular rootstock that would be best for my area? Any suggestion on where to purchase the rootstock?

I was looking at OHxF 97 at Raintree Nursery and Cummins Nursery. Not sure if that is best, looking for any suggestions...

144


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I put most all our pears on OH 97. I do have a few on wild calleryana I grew from bradford pear seed. That's all one of the commercial growers I know uses.
I'm in the mid south though.

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[DrDirtNap]

Calleryana makes a real aggressive growing tree adaptable to a wide variety of soil types. That’s what I prefer. I’m in North MS


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[144]

Thanks guys for the replies. Any places that sell calleryana rootstock around AR/LA/MS that you know of? Would like to get it fairly local if possible. I’d try to get seed and grow, but would like to graft some next year.

Any concerns with it being invasive? I’m assuming not if you keep the rootstock from budding out.


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[DLH]

Look around this winter you prolly can't find some in fence rows or anywhere close to Bradford pears. They can be transplanted and grafted in spring I have been grafting some in our field and will relocate this spring.

 

[Neahawg]

Merle found two here in the middle of our property and grafted them.

 

[144]

So, I went ahead and ordered some rootstock for next year. Should I plant the rootstock and let it get acclimated for a year before grafting or graft/plant next year? Didn’t know if it would stress the tree too much doing both at the same time.


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[Merle Hawggard]

So, I went ahead and ordered some rootstock for next year. Should I plant the rootstock and let it get acclimated for a year before grafting or graft/plant next year? Didn’t know if it would stress the tree too much doing both at the same time.


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I bench graft mine and plant them out in a nursery bed I've made for them here at home so I can take care of them better the first year.
I plant them out in their permanent place the second year.

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[Neahawg]

So, I went ahead and ordered some rootstock for next year. Should I plant the rootstock and let it get acclimated for a year before grafting or graft/plant next year? Didn’t know if it would stress the tree too much doing both at the same time.


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I graft mine then pot in rootmaker bags. Have them in the sun and well watered anytime it's above freezing and into the garage when it's below

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[144]

Thanks guys. Knew I’d get some replies from you Arkansas boys...

Any downsides that you can think of just planting them and grafting next year? Just delayed production or less size compatibility between scion and rootstock? I’m just thinking it may be better to get it in the ground and rooted quicker, being that these will be planted in LA with our high temperatures and I won’t be able to baby them at their final location.


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[Neahawg]

Won't hurt anything. Infact I know there was a time people wouldn't graft until the tree was already 6 feet tall.

 

[DLH]

If you are open to t budding I would plant the stocks in the spring and t bud in the summer. Then come late winter cut everything above your graft off.