Was wondering if you take a small branch from a fruit tree and dip it in rooting hormone and are successful in propagating it, will the resulting tree will be a true representative of the original tree?
I know that if you plant a seed, you never know what you'll get, and if a tree comes up from the roots you'll only get the rootstock on which it was planted. But, I'm thinking if you propagate a branch from the tree, it will be the same as the tree? But, since it's not on rootstock, it will just grow as a standard sized tree?
I have some branches like that from an apple and a pear that seem to be leafing out in buckets. I'm not sure if they'll make it or not, but was hoping they will be the same as the original trees! I just did it for fun, it seemed to be a shame to throw away the pruning twiglets so I thought I try to propagate some!
If you propagate cuttings from a tree then it will grow true to that trees variety. That's the way all trees are propagated....either by scion ( a small shoot ) or by bud grafting.
The actual size of the tree once it's grown is anyone guess though. Tight root control or growth by pruning will give some control but unless it's grafted onto a known rootstock it's a bit hit and miss.
The actual size of the tree once it's grown is anyone guess though. Tight root control or growth by pruning will give some control but unless it's grafted onto a known rootstock it's a bit hit and miss.
We know that the Persians perfected grafting some 10000 years ago and by the time the Romans 'borrowed ' the skill from them there was at least some form of root stocks known.
Even so..the trees in their orchards must have gone up and down a bit.
The EMLA/ MM stocks of modern times made huge jumps in tree control.
Even so..the trees in their orchards must have gone up and down a bit.
The EMLA/ MM stocks of modern times made huge jumps in tree control.