Varietal/Rootstock bud grafted onto 1 year old rootstock in Autumn. Buds allowed to establish and grow away (12-18 weeks).

"Infected Plant" (IP) placed in Heat Treatment (HT) in early Spring, acclimatised and held at 38 degrees Celcius for 6 to 10 weeks.

Growing tips are removed from heat treated IP and grafted on to actively growing Granny Smith/Pear seedlings.

Once buds have callused and starting to grow away, a heat treated plant (HTP) is established and dormancy is induced by chilling at 5 degrees Celcius for 6 weeks.

HTPs are removed from cold storage, grown under optimal conditions, and first round of pathogen testing is done on actively growing tissue.

A second round of pathogen testing is conducted at least 10 weeks after the first, preferably after a period of dormancy.

If all tests are negative, heat treated plants are returned to the client.

The entire process takes approx. 18 months

Pathogens tested for:

• Apple mosaic virus (ApMV)
• Applechlorotic leafspot virus (ACLSV)
• Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV)
• Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV)
• Apple rubbery wood MLO.