AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been growing plants from seeds for at least 20 years. I have grown literally hundreds of different kinds of vegetables, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropicals, some cacti, water plants, iris, rose, lilies, cannas, etc. I enjoy starting from seed.
Experience I've been growing my own seeds for 20 years with indoor propagation equipment I built myself. I am also an Allexperts volunteer on the perennial forum. I have completed the Master Gardener course through the Kansas State University Extension. I have experience with a wide variety of seeds and I have also read through Norm Deno's books on seed germination.
Question I purchaced a Meteor Cherry Tree from a Nursury that is doing quite well. If I propogate from seed, will it resemble the parent tree in fruit quality? I do not know if it was a hybrid. Additionally, are the branch cuttings a sure way of having the same fruit in the new tree even if it was a hybrid?
Thanks in advance!
Answer Hi Pam,
Thanx for your question. The Meteor cherry tree was developed by the Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm. It is a hybrid and its seeds will not produce plants that are true to the original. The best way to propagate these trees is through grafts. You can graft cuttings onto hardier rootstock. I'm not experienced with grafting plus you need to know what kind of rootstock is necessary for your area. Some fruit cultivars are so weak they require a very hardy rootstock like a wild crabapple or wild cherry. Here's a link from the University of Minnesota that has some nice directions for grafting. I hope this helps.
Tom
