Description
Malus domestica A2, also known as Alnarp 2, is a semi-strong rootstock valued for its winter hardiness and reliability since 1944. Developed in Sweden, this rootstock is ideal for apple trees in cold climates and challenging growing conditions.
Key features:
Vigour: Produces semi-vigorous trees, with a vigour of 85-90% compared to seedlings. Suitable for larger trees with strong, self-supporting structure.
Hardiness: Exceptionally resistant to cold, ideal for orchards in colder climates or areas with harsh winters.
Fruiting: Induces early fruiting and delivers good productivity.
Ideal applications:
Extensive orchards: Perfect for large orchards with less intensive management in cold regions.
Hobby and commercial cultivation: suitable for apple trees that need a lot of space and produce a large crop.
Interstem applications: Widely used in cold climates as a rootstock for interstem apple trees.
Growth conditions:
Soil and climate: Suits maritime climates and various soil types well, provided the nutrition is balanced. Susceptible to magnesium deficiency, so proper fertilisation is important.
Planting distance: Recommended distance of 5 to 6 metres between trees, depending on the desired tree size.
Support: Permanent support is not needed as trees grow freely.
Disease resistance:
Strengths: Few root shoots, easy to graft, and well resistant to cold.
Concerns: Susceptible to diseases such as fireblight, woolly blood lice and collar rot. Regular maintenance and preventive measures are essential.
Conclusion:
Malus domestica A2 is an excellent choice for large and durable apple trees, especially in cold and challenging climates. This Swedish rootstock combines vigour and hardiness with productivity and adaptability, making it a reliable basis for healthy apple trees.