Mad Multi Trees

[Mell]

I was reading the review of the Antiquarian literature on Pomona yesterday a lot of earlier writers discuss multi trees with loads of different things on them
The book rubbished it, but I do wonder, time after time we rubbish these first hand reports and they eventually turn out to be correctlike swords & hens & vesuvias.

So any thought. We know pear will go on apple particularly if you use an interscion of winter banana. I've seen reports of figs on mulberry. I've medlar on pear.

So I can concieve apple, pear, quince & medlar on one tree thus far.

Another with plum, greengage, apricot, nectarine and peach (one could prob get almond on, but I think it can get bitter then)

Several Citrus together....

But the ancients claim grapes on cherry, and lots of other combinations.

So the question is has anyone come across any useful interscions for such a venture ?

[gojiberry]

Why?? Why?? Why?? Can not see the point other than for reasons of pollination and space. Then I would not want more than two varieties on one root. If it didn't catch on in ancient times then maybe we should take the hint. Am I a killjoy?

Ian

[Mell]

Space is a pretty good reason many people don't have the rooms for many trees. Also most people don't want to be storing or preserving lots of fruit so more that two cultivars of say apples means you could have a very long harvesting season from June potentially to the next Match.

Why for me ? Academic interest, many writings in ancient literature are often said to be fantasy and later found to be accurate, so interested to see how close I can get and how far I can push my grafting skills. As I'm not doing grafting commercially there is only so many standard, single cultivar, trees one can do before running seriously short of space
It is also a way of preserving many heritage cultivars in a smaller space.


And who says it didn't catch on ? Just because it isn't common now does not mean it wasn't more popular at another time or place.

So killjoy ? Wel you are entitled not to be interested in a topic, but my question was as to whether anyone had come across anything that might be of help.

[chrisguk]

Why?? Why?? Why?? Can not see the point other than for reasons of pollination and space.

Ian

I woud have to say that those 2 reasons are probably in the top 5 considerations when a member of the public wishes to grow a fruit tree in their back garden!

[gojiberry]

Seems I'm outnumbered here. Was not trying to be a killjoy, and it it was probably just a bit of my old fashioned views coming out.

Ian

[wollyanna]

very interesting to see your medlar on a pear. Its years since I saw any medlars and I have 3 pear trees so thats a thought. Keep up the good work I really admire people who try these things.

[Mell]

If you want to try it, wollyanna, and can't find scion locally let me know