Hebrew: כַּנַּת חֲשַׁבִּי, kannat ḥashabi
Family: Rosaceae
Parentage: Apple (Malus domestica)
Country of Origin: Israel (developed at Newe Ya’ar Research Center).
Advantages: This rootstock was specifically bred to address the issue of replant disease, a condition affecting young apple orchards planted in soil previously used for apple cultivation. The Hashabi rootstock promotes vigorous yet controlled growth.
Disadvantage: It is susceptible to woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum).
Kilei Ilan (grafting mixed species): This rootstock is used for apple grafts. According to halachah, it is considered the same species as various apple varieties, so its use is permitted.
Orlah (waiting three years for fruit): Apple trees using the Hashabi rootstock are generally propagated from the seed. Therefore, three orlah years must pass before using seeds for propagation.
