Hi all, I'm new here! Operating from a very small patch just behind the Elephant and Castle in London...

I’d like to get some feedback on the suitability of certain varieties for a small ‘Belgian Fence’ (interwoven double cordon) of apples that I'm planning. I want to create small single intersecting diamond forms as shown in my diagram he

http://www.imagesup.net/?di=10141409911810

Here are the varieties I’m interested in, based on extensive tastings (with pollination groups shown in brackets): Top 2 choices that score high for both taste and productivity:
Red windsor (2)
Discovery (3)
Then I’m looking at 2 from this shortlist which I’ve selected purely on taste:
Belnheim Orange (3)
Egremont Russet (2)
Ashmead’s Kernel (4)
Orleans Reinette (4)

But i am also little concerned about productivity on some of the older varieties, given my lack of space. And my head has been turned by reports of ‘Scrumtious’ (RHS AGM) which I haven’t tasted but has good reports of flavour and productivity… Anyone experienced Scrumptious? Although it probably is in a rather similar territory to discovery and Red windsor which I already have.

I’m wondering in these kind of conditions how much will the heaviness of the cropping be effected by the variety rather than other factors?
The site is as follows:

http://www.imagesup.net/?di=1414140991181

Its very sheltered. Garden is SSE facing with the cordon to run along the left hand fence (running NNW – SSE). The fence is a picket fence around 120cm high so allows some of the early morning direct sunlight through. Then as the sun moves around the row will get direct sunlight from mid morning to mid-late afternoon. So not quite full sun all day, but my tomatoes did ok in that position this year.

Existing soil is about 18″ to 2ft of clay over building rubble. It’s not heavy clay – bit loamy, but has been under paving for many years. I plan to double dig in the next few weeks and add about 25% Veoila soil improver, which i can get from our local tip and seems like good dark stuff – hopefully giving that a month before planting.

I plan to concrete in some angle iron about 8” from the existing fence. Posts to be spaced 2.4m (8ft) apart with galvanised wire and tensioners for support, with canes and ties as generally recommended. Tree spacing 60cm (2ft). Eventual tree height 180cm (6ft).

I’m looking at M9 rootstock for this – sound right?

(p.s. The larger tree on the right in the diagram is to be a Spindle Bush Conference Pear – no debate for me - still think the taste and texture of conference beats anything I've tasted!)

Any experience anyone could bring to bear on any of this would be much appreciated.

Richard,
Elephant and Castle, London.