Hi everyone,
I have not posted a lot as I dont have my allotment yet, although I have moved from 15th to 5th on the waiting list, so the system is working! I do enjoy reading a lot of the posts though, and whetting my appetite! Its a great community you have here.
I planted an apple tree in my friends garden last year. It went in a bit late, and only produced 1 apple as a result, but this year it has many many tiny apples that are growing in 'bunches'.
I'm sure I have read somewhere that you should remove most of the apples that are in a 'clump', leaving just one or two, so the tree can put all of its energy into producing a few good apples, rather than producing a large number of small ones.
What I would like to know is:
1. Is this correct, and should I thin the apples out?
2. When is the best time to do this?
3. Should I leave 1 apple per 'bunch', or would 2 or 3 be advisable?
Forgive me if I am talking nonsense! I hate it when I read some advice and then fail to find it again. I begin to doubt that I ever read it!
If it's of any use I can provide a bit of info on the tree. Its a Cox's Orange Pippin (self fertile im told), on M9 rootstock, and trained against a wall into something resembling a fan :)
Many thanks in advance
Mostly apples thin themselves-the `June drop` which isn`t always in June!
After that take another view.
And good luck for the allotment
As Stephan says. Except when they don't!
If not, then do as you say. Be ruthless, even though it hurts!!
Leave at least a couple of inches between each fruit.
Similar problem, but also lots of new shoots going up vertically from the "arms" of teh espalier. Should I prune the shoots?
Ahaa, thanks. The June drop eh?
I think there might have been a little of this happening already, which I guess would make sense. The tree doing its own natural selection.
It's funny that now you mention it, I do recall the odd small fruit dropping off the tree.
Aint nature great? :D
I will keep an eye on the tree as Spring turns into summer, and make sure there are not too many fruits still attached.
Thanks again,
JJ
Yes Barnowl but check when so that they make fruiting spurs not another flush off new wood!
;D
I'lll give my gurus a call for timing etc (fruit farmers on both sides of the family).
Given that it's such a young tree, i should prune down to half a dozen and give it a chance. It might drop the surplus, but it might put all its energy into fruit, and leave none for growing.
That makes sense, Robert.
My first prune is July.
:'( :(
Dont thinknwe will need a june drop in devon, the wind over the last few days has done it for the apples and pears.I only have small fruit trees so don`t want to lose too much.