The seeds intended for the production of rootstocks should come from plantations qualified for this purpose. To ensure a constant source of good quality seed, institutions responsible in the country for the organization and production of nursery material are obliged to establish special mother orchards for the collection of seeds.
Selected trees of the types most valuable for the purposes of fruit-growing and nursery should be used to establish mother orchards..
ESTABLISHMENT AND CARE FOR MATERNITY orchards.
Mother orchards for seed collection should be established in fertile soils, corresponding to the requirements of individual species of fruit trees. If possible, select an elevated position, because it excludes the possibility of the formation of frost pools, causing greater freezing of trees and flowers. The preparation of the soil and fertilization before planting the orchards is the same, as before establishing production orchards.
The spacing for planting mother trees is similar to the spacing recommended for production orchards. After planting, all trees should be trimmed in accordance with the recommendations for production orchards. The pruning and formation of trees in the following years depends on the intended method of harvesting the fruit, manual or mechanical. In large orchards, mechanical harvesting is planned. For this purpose, trees should have a trunk approx 100 cm, crowns flattened loosely stacked with a limited number of branches. Other soil cultivation, fertilizing, pruning and protection should be applied in accordance with the recommendations for production orchards of specific species.
The seeds intended for the production of rootstocks should come from plantations qualified for this purpose. To ensure a constant source of good quality seed, institutions responsible in the country for the organization and production of nursery material are obliged to establish special mother orchards for the collection of seeds.
