Size matters: Most fruit trees are grafted onto dwarfing
rootstocks, this means you know what size your mature tree is going to turn
out. Remember that fruit for eating
needs to be picked from the tree – the bruise it gets as it thuds to the ground
means it won’t keep. So don’t get too ambitious with the size unless you’re
very happy dancing around on the top of a ladder. Also, make sure you plant your trees far
enough apart – there will be advice on the label. It’s tempting to cram them in when they just
look like tiny sticks but they will reward you if you give them the room they
need to grow.
Read the instructions: Although in our house reading the
instructions is considered to be ‘for girls’, it really is worth studying the
info about your new trees. Reputable
nurseries should be able to help you choose your trees and their catalogues are
full of handy tips. It’s going to be a
good few years before you get your first decent crop so it’s worth investing
the time to do your research up front. As well as advice on size and variety, the
label or catalogue will give you a number between one and five that relates to
the pollination group, (don’t panic), of the tree. Which brings me to my next point….
The birds and the bees: Most
trees can’t pollinate themselves – they need a friend. Pollination groups relate to flowering time
and the numbers divide the varieties into groups from early to late flowerers.
For pollination to happen the trees need to be in bloom at the same time so the
bees can do their work. Trees from the same group or one number either side
will be good together: ie a 2 is good
with a 1,2 or 3 but not with a 5.
Growing from seed: Since we’re on the subject of the birds and the
bees – the seed inside an apple is the product of sexual reproduction, (I
know!). The fruit of the plant that
grows from that seed will have characteristics from both of its parents – and
not necessarily the desirable ones! To get the same apple you need to take a
cutting from the parent tree and graft it (life’s too short – spend the money).
So when you find an apple that you
love the taste of, instead of coming over all Johnny Appleseed, write down the
name of the variety and order it in the size you want from a good supplier.
Very informative with just the right amount of horticultural innuendo (I'm going nowhere near Johnny Appleseed). Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteCheers Ears - thanks for the support! Looking forward to getting my head round all this and fancying it up a bit soon
Deletei like the word poopsicle
ReplyDelete