Antonovka vs B.118

[Bowsnbucks]

Thanks Stu & Maya for the info. The link you posted, Stu, is a good one. Many interesting links & places to click from the one you gave.
Maya - The apple, crab, and pear trees we planted the last 2 springs all have alum. window screen, landscape cloth and 3-4" of pea-sized limestone gravel covering the landscape cloth. Additionally, we spray around the edges of the 40" x 40" cloth to kill any weeds trying to encroach. Concrete mesh cages. And we mow the whole planted area w/ a riding mower. Trees are on high ground on a gentle sloping south exposure. Plenty of breeze, no water draining probs.

I learned almost all of that stuff from some apple tree-growing, habitat- addicted nerds on here and an " older, Q-site " forum !!! :D :) I'm really grateful to all of you guys on here for all the info you post. Good, practical stuff. Still learning something new every day. I'll share what I can, too.

 

[Maya]

I don't think you have a thing to worry about Bows. Except it doesn't make sense that they would have posted one root and then switched it. Those trees were grafted and grown over a year or two. You can't switch it in the middle. They probably over sold or the B118 did not grade out. Regardless, good luck!

 

[Jordan Selsor]

What do you guys think about this Antonovka root stock for Mo? In descent rocky clay soil. Everything I have read, states it is a tough as nails standard tree that will live a long life. I want to ensure my kids can tell my grandkids that their hard headed grandpa planted these apple trees! I currently have both m111 an B118 on my place. All are doing well except one finicky honeycrisp. . Im thinking about ordering 10 or 20 just to make a first attempt at grafting.

 

[Jordan Selsor]

Very impressed with these Antonovka from burntridge compared to B-118. I think I will only graft to Antonovka from here on out... Here is a pic side by side. Look at the tap root on that thing!!!! They weren't lieN when they said carrot like!

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I've got some apples and crabs on Antonovka growing at camp. They've been in the ground 2 and 3 years. I can tell you they are growing great. Our soil is a clayish loam a little on the heavier side but it drains well. Antonovka is supposed to take a few years longer than B-118 to fruit - 8 to 10 yrs. compared to B-118's 5 or 6 yrs. from what I've read at numerous sources.

Antonovka, first year in the ground - not a lot of growth. 2nd year, good growth. 3rd year, they really took off. As deep as the roots go on Antonovka can only be a good thing, especially during dry periods I would think. I have 10 coming from SLN on Antonovka.

We have trees on B-118 as well and they're doing fine too.

 

[chickenlittle]

The P18 is supposed to fruit faster than the average antonovka seedling. Won't be as fast as B118. I am expecting to wait a little longer with those. A number of trees on my cummins order got switched from b118 to p18.

 

[Jordan Selsor]

In heavy, rocky soils...antonovka is hard to beat for stability, longevity, and production. As long as you don't mind waiting a decade or so anyway ;)

I'm young;) I want trees to out live my grand kids!

 

[buckvelvet]

Wonder if P18 does as good as B118 in beach sand.

I feel your pain Ed.