VVA-1, also known as Krymsk 1, is a new dwarfing rootstock for plum trees. It was developed in Russia and released in 2004. It is related to Prunus cerasifera, the Cherry Plum - a plum species which tends to be naturally smaller than mainstream European plum trees. It is a good choice for gardeners looking to fit plums, gages, and damsons into a small space.
VVA-1 is important because it is less vigorous than the popular Pixy rootstock which has hitherto been the most dwarfing rootstock available for plum trees. VVA-1 should produce a mature tree of around 2.5m height, which is similar to the well-known M26 rootstock used for apple trees.
VVA-1 also induces precocity, in other words the new tree will start to fruit at a younger age in its life, around 2-3 years instead of the more usual 3 years. It also offers the advantage over Pixy of producing fruit of a good size, similar to fruits produced using the semi-vigorous St. Julien rootstock.
Click here for our list of plum trees available for sale in the UK on VVA-1 rootstock. If you buy one of these trees we would very much welcome your feedback about its growth and characteristics.