Fruit tree nurseryman Nick Dunn has served the stone fruit industry well with the introduction of many improved varieties and rootstocks over several decades. This desire for improvement continues with a range of new cherry cultivars from renowned German breeder the Gräb Nursery, for whom he has established distribution rights for the UK. “Growers should be aware of promising varieties such as Belise®, Georgia, which is resistant to splitting, and a white variety Starblush® that is self-fertile,” said Nick. “When added to other several other varieties such as Vanda, Tamara, Skeena and Walter from the same nursery, UK growers have access to some of the most promising cultivars in Europe”.
Nick also revealed an exciting new series of plum rootstocks – Weigi – that is likely to supersede Gisela. “Weigi is a cross between Gisela 5 and Weiroot, and promises compactness of tree, precocity and vigour whilst producing high yields,” he said.
Nick also mentioned apricots, currently gaining popularity in the UK, citing the promising varieties Robada, Pink Mary, Bergeron and Helena du Rousillon, the latter being resistant to bacterial canker, and all propagated on the Wavit rootstock, equivalent to the traditional Pixie. “Wavit is also used for propagating plum varieties, so is most promising,” added Nick.