MM111 rootstock description

[Prof. Kent]

MM111 Rootstocks

 

Here is a picture of the root structure of MM111 apple roots.
This is a young Court Pendu Plat on MM111, a few years old.

Notice the "mop-like" structure of the roots.
MM111 produces large numbers of very fine roots (some of which will travel great distances).
The large numbers of fine roots give a large surface area.
Great for mopping up water and nutrients in the soil.
Especially useful if the soil is low fertility, or prone to droughts.

Despite the roots being long and slender, they are quite strong and difficult to break.
On the left of the picture, you can see a few large "taproots".

The above-ground portion of an MM111 tree is influenced by the rootstock.
MM111 trees tend to have slender stems with lots of "twiggy" side branches.
In other words: the dense roots also seem to influence a compact canopy.

MM.111, EMLA MM.111

Size: 30 to 34 feet (EMLA MM.111 will be slightly larger than MM.111) (75 to 85% of standard)

Pedigree: “Northern Spy” x Merton's.
Precocity: More precocious than seedling (i.e. poor)
Productivity: Moderate under most conditions
Anchorage: Good, typically free-standing
Fireblight: Moderate resistance
Crown & Root Rots: Moderate resistance
Woolly Apple Aphid: Resistant
Powdery mildew: Susceptible
Hardiness (midwinter): Moderate
Suckering: Light
Burrknots: Heavy
Strains: EMLA MM.111 - virus free clone has slightly increased vigor

Observations, suspicions, and history:
MM.111 is appropriate for use with spur type scion varieties, on poor dry sandy soils, and on heavy soils where MM.106 would fail.
One of most drought resistant apple rootstock known.
Because MM.111 produces large trees, utility of MM.111 in North America is limited to extreme situations and home gardens.
MM.111 is very tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, and is the most drought tolerant clonal produced apple rootstock.
MM.111 is used as rootstock with an M.9 interstem to produce dwarf freestanding trees that are drought tolerant.
Tolerant of both heavy and light soils.
Planting distance, suggested, 15 ft (4.5m) apart, 20 ft (6m) between rows.

 

[John Trout]

My first post!  Hope it goes.

I 2nd the "moppy" look to M111 stock.  I dug several from the garden after 1yr. spent there.  Quite impressive.  I've never seen that kind of rootball on M7's and certainly not on dwarfing stocks.  I'm anxious to see how they grow a graft this spring.

John

[Prof. Kent]

I'm going to plant 2 dozen MM111's this year in pots for grafting and transplanting next year (or 2014). Do you think a 5 or 6 gallon pot is big enough?
- Kent

[John and Annette Trout]

I think that should be plenty big.  Make sure and use a very loose potting soil mix.  Anything heavy just won't work well.  I've tried it.

I put my first bud graft on one of the MM111's in the garden last August.  It looks good to me.  Guess we'll find out in a month or two.

 

Your scions shipped today.