Nectarine Rootstock

Question

I have a nectarine tree that I thought had completely died; however, this spring the rootstock sprouted. Should I leave it alone? Can rootstock produce fruit of any use? I know the odds are for an inferior fruit, but I have no idea what the actual difference is between the fruiting abilities of the scion and rootstock. If it will make usable fruit (even if it’s not nursery quality), I will probably keep it as it’s already there. 🙂

Answer 1

It is hard to say it is will make fruit. Some rootstocks are varieties that fruit and, as you mentioned, will have inferior fruit and others will not fruit at all. Which it will be is impossible to say as different nurseries use different varieties for rootstocks and it is a toss up which the nursery that grew your tree would have used.