Topic: Apple trees and pollinators

[tricia]

I recently bought a Jonagold and a Cox's Orange Pippin from Lidl. Unfortunately, at the time of purchase I did not know that Jonagold is a triploid (needs two pollinators but doesn't pollinate other apple trees) and have no idea if there are any other apple trees in the vicinity so am wondering what the chances are of it ever producing fruit. Am I right in thinking that the cox's is self-fertile? I've done a bit of Googling and find that both these varieties are Group 3. I don't really have room for another tree! Help!

Tricia

[Vinlander]

Actually triploids do not need two pollinators - they are called triploids because they have 3 sets of chromosomes.

This over-endowment gives them extra vigour but means their pollen is basically useless.

So you do need two other trees because they need each other and the triploid is no use to them sexually!

Or you could pair it with a self-fertile type - though even these work better with a real partner.

All assuming the flower periods overlap of course...

[Robert_Brenchley]

I can't find anything about Cox's being self-fertile. It's temperamental in our climate, unless you're in the south. Jonagold is a triploid, but Cox's should pollinate it. You still need a pollinator for the Cox's, but there's a good chance there will be a tree within range. If you want to plant a third tree, James Grieve or Worcester Pearmain are easily available, and good apples.

[Digeroo]

I also bought a Jonagold and a cox from lidl.  I did not think about the pollination situation at all.  There are quite a few crab apple trees in gardens around and so far have not had problems with fertilization with other apple trees.   

[tonybloke]

there are self-fertile cox's available, http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Fruit+Trees+and+Bushes/Apple+Self-Fertile+Queen+Cox+277695.htm
http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/cox_%28self_fertile%29_variety.aspx
etc etc etcd etc.
 ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Queen cox isn't Cox's Orange Pippin though! I believe it's been bred from it, but I don't know what it was crossed with.

[tricia]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Robert - I had already made a note of James Grieve and Worcester Pearmain as possible pollinators funnily enough! But I think I'll wait a couple of years and see what happens. Maybe I'll get lucky with local pollinators like Digeroo I don't really have room for yet another tree! The new trees will need that long before they are likely to fruit anyway.

Tricia