The genetic origin of the Colt rootstock is a hybrid crossover made between Prunus Avium and Prunus Pseudocerasus. The breeder of the Colt pattern is East Malling (England) and was registered in 1981. Due to its age, the pattern for cherry Colt does not require authorization for multiplication.
The Colt rootstock is currently very popular in Chile, being currently one of the most planted cherry patterns. Colt adapts to heavy soils, resists very well humidity and asphyxiation, but is not drought tolerant.
In Spain, the Colt rootstock has been heavily planted in the rainy area of the Jerte Valley.
Colt rootstock features
Due to its high vigor, the Colt pattern must be planted with high productivity varieties, making an excellent combination with Lapins, Skeena, Sweetheart…
Plantations on Colt rootstocks should be done in low density frames. Good productivity can be obtained by combining with the suitable varieties (Fertile and highly productive ). The Colt rootstock should never be used together with little early cherry varieties, with problems of pollination or low productivity. Colt does not improve the early variety of grafted cherry.
Colt is highly compatible with most of sweet Cherry varieties existing.
The Colt rootstock variety requires to trim the cherry trees in a manner similar to that of the pattern Saint Lucia 64. Colt allows to obtain high quality fruit with good caliber. Although Colt is a little early rootstock, it can end up being more profitable than other varieties, thanks to its simple handling and the best sales prices, thanks the quality of the cherry obtained.
Resistors: Colt is resistant to the asphyxiation and emits few serpents. But it is very sensitive to Agrobacterium and drought (Despite its good anchorage, it has a very superficial root).
Recommended reading
We want to recommend several interesting publications about the cherry tree:
Classes or Types of cherries: More than 50 varieties
Cherry plantation
10 Interesting properties of cherry
Warning
We have translated the information on our website from Spanish to English. Note that some words may have seen their meaning altered during their translation.
Is colt suitable for 14000 feet?
Hi Aditya,
I do not know if the Colt rootstock supports these growing conditions. 14000 feet/4300 meters It seems to me a very considerable height compared to the late harvest cherry areas of Spain (4000-6000 feet)