Introduction – Blueberries – North Apple Bed – Panoramic View – Dwarf – Conclusion
Gene’s Answers – Train a Mini-Dwarf – Favorite Apples – Map of Backyard
This page explains Gene’s method of growing a mini-dwarf apple tree whose mature height will be 3 feet. These are all grown on M27 or P22 rootstock. Now it’s important to realize how great an effect the M27 or P22 rootstock has in reducing a mini-dwarf’s growing vigor. This effect is so limiting that during the time it is bearing fruit, it will not have the additional energy to form new primary branches. So it is essential to create the tree’s primary framework of branches, called scaffolding, before you let it bear fruit.
Gene likes to begin by planting a newly grafted apple tree. They’re just tiny sticks about as thick as an index finger and maybe 6 to 10 inches high. The whole tree consists of a little piece of wood (from a desired variety) grafted on top of the rootstock. He doesn’t want an older tree because he wants to control everything. While the tree is still dormant, Gene digs a generous hole . He then throws away the soil he took out, since it’s mostly clay. He plants the tree deep so that the grafting union is 3 to 4 inches above the soil line. The hole is refilled with inexpensive top soil purchased in 40 pound bags. He uses one bag or a little more. No fertilizer is added when first planting.
Starting in spring with a newly planted 6 to 10 inch tree, Gene allows only one of the buds sprouting on the grafted wood to grow, usually the top bud. Any other bud growth on the scion wood or rootstock is rubbed off with a fingernail. No other pruning is done this year. Gene’s goal for his tree’s first year is to produce a single, straight, first year whip, that has grown to 36 inches or more if possible.
Year two begins with cutting the single stem whip back to 18 inches above the soil line. This is done in early spring while the tree is still dormant. When the buds sprout, Gene removes every bud between the ground and 12 inches. He leaves the topmost bud on, but removes the bud directly below that. This top bud will become the new central leader.
On the trunk between 12 inches and 18 inches he looks for buds that will be used to develop the lower main scaffold. He’d like to find 4 well spaced buds that will grow out at 90 degree angles from each other, for example towards the north, south, east and west. Sometimes he only finds 3. All other buds are removed.
In a little while the side buds become flexible 3 inch side branches. At this point Gene takes a clothespin and places it on the trunk, directly above each side branch. This encourages the new branch to grow out perpendicular from the trunk, rather then upward. Branches grown at 90 degrees are the strongest and also bear earlier. The clothespins are left on for two or three months.
Now you see a close-up of a mini-dwarf apple tree from this bed. It’s the variety ‘Red Chief’ growing on an M27 rootstock. You can estimate it’s size from the top of the fence, which is 42 inches high. The chain link fence has black shade cloth fabric attached to it. This keeps the neighbor’s Forsythia hedge from growing through.