Training a stepover

[Dave8abond]

Hi all, first post here.

I've just bench grafted 9 apples onto a mix of m27, m9 and m26.

Due to space I'm planning on training some as stepovers. I understand that standard method for this, taking a 1 year maiden and heading while dormant to height of wires etc.

As these are bench grafts, is there any reason why I shouldn't save myself a year and let 2 buds grow and start to train the stepover this year?

Many thanks

Dave

[Paulieb]

That is correct. You would conventionally head a 1yr maiden to the height of the wire.

However on a random set of grafts that I have done over the years, I sometimes get one bud that breaks, and sometimes 2 buds that break. So keep an eye out for those where 2 buds break and you could train those as stepovers.

Don't be too keen to get the 2 branches horizontal as they grow stronger in an upright position, but then be sure the get them horizontal towards the end of the season, while still supple, before they 'set'.

[Dave8abond]

Stepover

Thanks.

2 of the trees already have 2 buds breaking on each of them 😃.

Do you think the M26 trees would be trainable as a large stepover? The recommendation seems to be for M27 but we wandered around the walled gardens at Clumber at the weekend and they had some huge stepovers.

[Paulieb]

The first time I attempted stepovers, I could only get the varieties I wanted on M9 (which isnt too dissimilar to M26). I trained them as stepovers, but they were more like 18ins to 2ft high (which is a big step), but basically just one level of an espalier. Now they are about 5ft in each direction, and need a prune in the summer but arent really a problem.

So worth a go with the M26 I'd say. They may need a good prune in the summer, which is needed on trained fruit anyway, but that will only encourage fruit spurs to be created.

Good luck.

[Dave8abond]

Quiet a few of the grafts now have 2 buds developing so I should have plenty of choice for 2 or 3 stepovers.

Good tip about not being too keen to get them horizontal.

Thanks