Beschrijving
Prunus domestica 'Colt' is a versatile rootstock for both sweet and sour cherries that shows growth between a semi-dwarf and a vigorous cherry rootstock. With vigour between the 75% and 90% of the standard, 'Colt' is less vigorous than the Prunus avium seedling, but still offers sturdy and robust growth. It is an excellent choice for both commercial growers and hobby gardeners who want to grow smaller cherry trees, for example for garden or patio settings.
Key features:
Vigour: 'Colt' has semi-dwarf growth, making it suitable for smaller trees with good yields. It offers medium vigour (75% to 90% from standard), making the tree manageable for intensive plantings and smaller plots.
Soil type adaptation: 'Colt' is well suited to a wide range of soils and handles wet, heavy soils better than other rootstocks such as Mahaleb and Gisela 5. However, this rootstock is slightly more sensitive to drought, so irrigation may be required in drier climates.
Fruit size and yield: Trees on 'Colt' produce good fruit sizes, and the flowering and harvesting productivity is conducive for both commercial and horticultural applications. It has a slow start in fruit production, but yield after the start-up period is reliable.
Temperature adaptation: This rootstock is not resistant to cold, but this is usually not a problem in warmer climates such as California, where 'Colt' performs well.
Resistance: 'Colt' offers some resistance to Phytophthora root rot, gopher damage and bacterial canker, and is resistant to cherry stem pitting. However, it is susceptible to crown gall caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Use: 'Colt' is ideal for growing cherry trees in smaller areas or in pots on terraces and gardens. It is also well suited for commercial plantings, especially where a smaller tree is desired.
Support:
Support: Because 'Colt' is a semi-vigorous rootstock, it does not need permanent support and can grow free-standing, making maintenance easier.
Conclusion:
The 'Colt' rootstock is an excellent choice for growing cherry trees in limited space, such as gardens or patios, and offers a good balance between vigour and yield. It is a flexible rootstock suitable for different soil types and cherry varieties, and offers high resistance to various diseases. With its low sensitivity to drought and good fruit sizes, 'Colt' is ideal for growers who want to grow smaller, high-performing cherry trees in warmer climates.