Top-working dessert apples with cider varieties: advice on compatibility & vigour

[Jakub Wdowka]

Hi everyone,

I am managing an orchard in the Czech Republic and looking to diversify my cider production by top-working my existing trees. My current stock consists of healthy, established trees of: Coulon’s Renette, Belle de Boskoop, Winter Russet, Bohemian Maiden (Panenské české), Blenheim Orange, Cox’s Orange Pippin, and Moravian Apple (Jadernička moravská).

I am planning to graft 1–2 cider varieties onto each of these trees. My selection includes: Kingston Black, Binet Rouge, Ellis Bitter, Major, Tommy Knight, Muscadett de Diepe, Dymock Red, Tan Harvey, Hastings, Le Bret, Frederick, Burrowhill Early, Red Jersey, Douce Moen, Bulmer’s Norman, Kingston Bitter, and Jersey Black.

Given this list, I would appreciate your expert advice on:

1. Are there any major compatibility or growth-vigour issues when grafting these specific cider varieties onto my established dessert/dual-purpose stock?

2. Are there any varieties from my list that you would strongly advise against pairing on the same tree, or conversely, any pairs that work exceptionally well together?

3. Are there any other classic bitter-sweet or bitter-sharp cider varieties you would recommend for Central European conditions that might outperform some of the varieties I have listed?

I am aiming for a balanced, manageable orchard structure and high-quality cider production. Any advice on potential pitfalls or management tips for these "family trees" would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Bartek Knapek]

Hi! 

  I have been top-grafting cider varieties on different "normal" apple trees in my orchard and never experienced any compatibility issues. I was looking for similar information as you, but the only practical guidance I found in some french literature (cannot find the exact source) was that you should not graft an early variety on a late tree. My grafts are ~4-8 years old - they started to bear fruit already in 2nd year after grafting. 

If you want to experiment with more varieties, I can send you some from Poland in February next year:

English: Ashton Bitter, Bulmers Norman, Chisel Jersey, Dabinett, Ellis Bitter, Foxwhelp, Harry Masters Jersey, Kingston Black, Major, Michelin, Royal Wildling, Somerset Redstreak, Stoke Red, Tremlett’s Bitter, Yarlington Mill

French: Bedan, Binet Rouge, Bisquet, Clos Renaux, Douce Coët Ligné, Douce Moën, Fréquin Rouge, Jeanne Renard, Kermerrien, Marie Menard, Medaille d’Or, Muscadet de Dieppe, Noel des Champs, Reine des Pommes

Here are brief descriptions, in polish but you can get a direct translation with a web browser nowadays: english apples , french apples.

// Bartek

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