Hi guys, i have 2 apple trees on M27 rootstocks, and wish to plant them in the ground for ease of watering and nutrition.
My main concern is the abundance of clay about a foot downwards, covered in a layer of topsoil, of low quality.
How would the M27 roots cope in this type of soil?
Im willing to dig about 2 feet down, and fill with a soil and organic mulch before planting.
Any Experience?
Thanks.
Another really good thing to put in there besides gravel or pumice is old rotted wood. It retains moisture in the dry summer and leads to the kind of fungal growth that trees and bushes need. It also drains well in the winter so the plants' roots don't rot and get diseases. Don't make a circular hole or it will be a clay pot. Triangular and roughed up is much better. Or even better, connected with another amended hole.
John S
PDX OR
The section of M27 grafted between the roots and the fruiting variety dwarfs the top, while keeping the better anchorage and clay tolerance of the M7 roots. This type of interstem dwarfing has been around for many years. Stark Bros. nursery used it extensively for a long time. Nurserymen don't do it as often now because it takes more labor to produce.
Go look up a copy of Systematic Pomology by M. N. Westwood. It describes interstem dwarfing.
I've been reading about it ever since you mentioned it, always happy to learn about something new 
My only concern now would be the possible root structure being to vigorous for how far apart the trees could be placed, and maybe causing some competition among each other for nutrients.
I really do appreciate you mentioning this growing method however, and any further light you may be able to shed would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your help.
Plant them the same distance you would use for other dwarf trees. Unless they are confined some way, the roots can move out into the surrounding soil. Keep the trees mulched with compost and don't cultivate deeply. That allows development of the soil structure and lets the soil flora work with the trees better. The trees won't suffer, believe me.
http://www.bunchgrapes.com
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