Allotments 4 All

Thanks, duke, I'll pm her, any tips gratefully accepted  ;D

We are growing ours as an oblique cordon following Deb Ps advice. They were bought last year & all the apples have fruit this year. We had 1 pear from the conference tree & it was lovely. We shared it on the plot. We have now done the same on daughters plot. We had some funny looks when we planted them. Only one person asked why we had done it that way & he is going to do the same on his plot next year.

hi all

i got a cherry tree (stella) from lidl's today, i would like to plant it tomorrow but i am now intrigued on what to grow as 'corden' is. ???

any help please

jo

To grow on a cordon basically means to allow your tree to develop one main central branch grown at 45 degree angle, on some kind of supporting frame. The tree doesn't branch out so the fruit isgrown on short side shoots or spurs. It is a good way to grow a number of varieties of fruit trees in a small space. I wouldn't recommend growing cherries or plums as a cordon. Apparently it can be done but not very successfull. Something to do with the fruit of these two trees grow on outer branches and not close to a main stem.

this might be of interest to you-
http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Growing-Cordon-Fruit-Trees

Here is picture of mine taken this year one year after planting.

I wouldn't recommend growing cherries or plums as a cordon. Apparently it can be done but not very successfull. Something to do with the fruit of these two trees grow on outer branches and not close to a main stem
Yes..there is that and with cherries the pruning is problem...although they need some pruning and training to get the tree in shape, but generally they are happier and healthier with as little as possible of branch disturbance. They tend to be prone for die back in bacterial infections and to keep any fruit tree in cordon shape, they will need good pruning regime. With plum it is little more easier achieve as the fruiting is some what closer to main stem..but still nothing like apples and pears.
If the branches are stationary =. pruned short and stiff or tied in on supports..it is like signposted invitation for birds to come, have sit and gobble all fruit..at least with free flowing branches some of the less accessable fruit will be safe and something is left for grower too..unless well netted against visitors.. more so with cherries than plums.

thanks for enlightening me,  your apple tree looks fab Duke.  i might have to go out and buy a pear tree now.

cheers

Quote from: calendula on November 02, 2010, 09:51:44
not moaning.... well maybe  ;D but the four pears I bought over 4 years ago I am still waiting for blossom - I know you have to be patient with fruit but..... at least they still look healthy which is more than I can say for their bundles of blueberry plants which were mere sticks - cheap might be cheap but we still have expectations  8)

THe old saying was "Plant pears for your heirs".... they do take a while to grow fully and produce a crop.....

chrisc

If you fancy it or have a good wall or fence then you can always fan train a cherry or plum by putting up strings   :)
x sunloving