So for a dummy like me, this process is basically using different rootstocks, like the case of the "Parent Washington" and grafting them to the original rootstock? So the new rootstocks are able to feed and support the old rootstock despite the disease? Do I have that right?

Citrus never ceases to amaze me.

In Brazil, in northern São Paulo state and southern Minas Gerais state, where "sudden death" disease is prevalent, it has become somewhat popular to order new nursery trees already on two stocks. They are first budded to one stock (usually 'Rangpur'), and then later, once the scion is growing, a second stock (usually 'Swingle') is grafted into the side of the scion. The 'Rangpur' will give extreme vigor, large tree size, and drought resistance. But if sudden death disease occurs, the 'Swingle' will take over, keeping the tree alive (and at that point, irrigation will become necessary).

Dr. Manners, very interesting. I would ask one comment, not necessarily pointed to Brazil's particular situation. Is the industry not interested in moving away from large trees, and instead move toward dwarf trees planted on closer spacing? Small trees on FD would certainly be a great advantage at harvest time. (of course keeping in mind local area pH and any susceptible disease). - Millet (902-)

The problem with FD as a commercial rootstock is that it is too dwarfing. It takes too many years to get up to enough size to be worth having. To counteract that just by close spacing would mean fantastically large populations of trees per acre (I've heard of research plantings in California of over 1000 per acre), and you never break even on the deal.

At the price of 1000 trees per acre, and the length of time to full production, the financial restrictions are obvious. Too bad, as harvest would be much easier and faster. FD rootstock might also make a some what smaller fruit. Any way thanks for the incite. - Millet (900-)

Hello all....This thread was started in 2007 so I'm curious if anyone has any update on their multiple rootstock experiments...

Did anyone on this board try this technique?

I plan to use this on just about every tree i could get my hands on including mangoes, avocados, star apples, abiu, egg fruit, sapodilla, and soursop.

oxtailpaksiw you caught my curiosity, in California, why would you bother with double root stocks on every tree? - Millet (687-)

I have tried it in a small scale with seedlings of mandarin




Eventually new root system took over and I cut out the old root system because it is rotted out

Hi Millet. I'm actualy in the Philippines now, if that makes any diffrence. Aside from my curiosity and the "fun" of experimenting, I do want to try the double rootstock for the advantages listed such as more prolific trees and fruits and probly most importantly, shortened time it takes to fruit(in the case of young seedlings).

But before I actually do that, I thought of doing a quick survey of any results from anyone who tried it and to see if I could learn any special techniques on the methods. I actually thought of doing what joereal proposed back a few years ago which is what appears to be an upside down bark graft so I'm really interested in feedback from people who actually tried it.

There are numerous sources out there but since this board is where I learned grafting, that has actually worked for me (bark grafting), it made sense to solicit info from here. :D

So, if anyone has any special techniques they'd like to share, it would be appreciated. If you'd like, you can pm me and it'll be our secret. :D

[quote="Millet"]oxtailpaksiw you caught my curiosity, in California, why would you bother with double root stocks on every tree? - Millet (687-)[/quote]

[quote="matievski"]I have tried it in a small scale with seedlings of mandarin

Eventually new root system took over and I cut out the old root system because it is rotted out[/quote]

Thanks matievski! What differences do you see (if any) between this and siblings of the mandarin that was *not* multiple-rooted? What grafting method did you use?(looks like the "upside down" bark graft?)

Thanks again!

No difference, I did not have a control one to compare ))
In y opinion it grows very slow so far , own root system was cut off due rottenness, now only new one left.