I have planted 2 apple trees this year Coxs pippin and Elstar they are supposed to be pollinating partners. They have both had blossom on. They are on dwarf rootstock. I planted them ito compost and secured them with a stake. Is there anything else I need to do this year ?
Thanks
If you should get several apples set I would limit the numbers so as to give the tree a chance to settle. If you get a lot of new growth it would be best to do some summer pruning in July to encourage fruit spurs to form.
Give the trees a feed of FBB in the autumn, this will help boost them for fruiting again next year. :)
Regularly check the tie that you used to secure the tree to the stake, to make sure it's not starting to cut into the bark, and adjust it if necessary.
When you say you planted them into compost, why did you do this? Are they in pots or planted direct? and what sort of soil do you have? The reason I ask is that if you have heavy clay, and have dug a hole and filled it with, say, multi purpose compost, there is a danger that the hole will fill with water in the winter, and the roots will drown because a sump has been formed. If this is the case, fork the soil to mix it a bit more, carefully around the tree later in the year when it's dormant - probably early December will do.
thanks for all the info. I planted in rotted down compost from the heap and it is situated in open ground.
How do you do summer pruning?
Thanks
Cut back new growth to about 3-5 leaves beyond basal rosette, where last years cut was/ length or height you need!
;D
My tips for your new trees..
- Water. Lots of it. You're naturally concentrating on what's going on above ground, new leaves, flowers, fruit etc. A Summer prune will do it wonders if it gets too leafy but don't neglect the roots. I'd be thinking of giving it a good soak every week... give it every chance to get well established.
- Check back on your ties. It does need to be securly staked to minimise any wind-rocking that might undermine root establishment. Having siad that I'm often surprised by just how much girth a tree can put on and if your ties are restrictive you run the risk of a little damage to the tree
Chrispea27, you may find these links useful:
Identifying fruit buds in apples
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0304/apple_fruit_bud.asp
Which guide to apple pruning
http://www.which.net/gardeningwhich/advice/techniques/factsheets/applepruning.pdf
thanks a lot Jenny
Good info. links Jenny - thanks 8). I'm new to fruit tree growing too, so how to prune and so forth is important to me :).
Tricia