I have purchased a Gala Apple and a Golden Delicious Tree from Thomson and Morgan on a M9 rootstock,I have planted them in 24 inch wide,30 inch deep containers,in multi purpose compost with a small amount of pelleted chicken manure,the trees are about 14 inches tall from the graft,they have healthy looking leaves,the golden delicious has got quite a few flowers on it,how do I get the plants to grow to their optimum height of 2 metres,what feed if any would you advise,I've never done this before so your help will be invaluable to me,many thanks
I have got my first 2 container trees this year, so new to this myself so don't know much yet, but .....
I am rather concerned you say you have used multipurpose compost.
MP compost would not have enough weight to keep the container upright, or to keep the tree in the pot.
I would change this for a John Innes No.3 compost.
I don't know if this would be best to do now or next winter.
Otherwise, water regally, give it a general fertilizer in the spring and a high potash fertilizer while the fruit is forming.
Don't worry about the size, doubt if it will reach 2m in a container.
That's my lot, other will know better, and I have not mentioned pruning yet, so I am sure other will be more helpfull.
Chrispy,thank you for that,i forgot to add that I had put quite a few broken up paving slabs in the bottom of the containers,i drilled holes in the bottom of the containers 1st,for drainage,then placed the broken paving slabs in them,ensuring I did not cover any of the drainage holes.
When did you planted your trees?
Although your trees will grow in multipurpose compost, it is not ideal medium for long term growing. As already mentioned..your tree would be more happy in more heavier type of 'compost'..like John Innes No3 or you can use top soil and add some grit and multipurpose to 'open up' the soil texture a little.
The fertilizer in MP compost will last about 4-6 weeks..there is not lot in it..your tree would benefit more of Blood, fish and bone meal rather than chicken pellets which are bit too nitrogen rich for tree growing.
If you only just planted your tree..say within last couple of weeks..you could still replant the tree into more suitable 'compost'...or wait until later on the year. The trouble with multipurpose is that it will dry very quickly and cause movement around roots with shrinkage...and getting it wet again can be hard task. Soil based compost settle around roots and it doesn't 'move' anymore, it hold on to the moisture and nutrients better, keeps temperature around roots more even and even if it dry out, it is much more easier to get wet again.
Apples in container are little bit challenging.. most important thing is giving them enough water..getting the feeding in balance is another thing. If you sprinkle handful of BFB on surface once a month during summer months that should be plenty for now but cut it back at the end of summer as your tree wont need it any more. You can buy special fruit tree feed.. Ken Muir sell some and they have very good little booklet about 'how to look after your trees'. I don't know if they sell it separately but I received it free with order..it is VERY good. It would be worth of giving them a ring and see what they say. http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/ they also some videos on Youtube..see if there is something about apples in containers+ feeding.
Goodlife.thank you very much for the information,i only planted the trees 2 days ago,i will be going to the garden centre tomorrow for some john innes number 3 compost and will re pot them as soon as I get home,ive got blood fish and bonemeal so will incorporate some of that with fine grit sand in the mix,thank you once again.