The VSL-2 rootstock is a vegetative rootstock specifically developed for growing cherry and plum. It is obtained by hybridizing steppe cherry with the Lannizzian cherry and exhibits semi-dwarf growth, enabling the formation of compact trees with short crowns. Thanks to this, trees grafted onto the VSL-2 rootstock begin fruiting as early as the 3rd to 4th year after planting, ensuring an early and stable yield. The productive lifespan of such trees is 15–18 years, making this rootstock attractive for intensive plantations with planting densities up to 800–1000 trees per hectare.
The VSL-2 rootstock possesses high frost resistance of its root system, tolerating temperatures down to -14 °C, and is resistant to diseases such as coccomyces, nematodes, and root cancer. It grows well on heavy and waterlogged soils, is drought-tolerant, and does not produce suckers, which aids in good tree anchoring in the soil. The rootstock can be propagated by green cuttings with high survival rates (up to 93.3%), as well as by hardwood cuttings and horizontal layering.
However, the VSL-2 rootstock is sensitive to viral infections, which may lead to poor graft union survival and reduced plant health. Therefore, when using this rootstock, it is essential to use healthy planting material and implement preventive measures against fungal diseases. Overall, VSL-2 is a reliable and productive choice for growing cherry and plum, especially under intensive horticultural conditions.
