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Bitter pit

arthurjimboarthurjimbo Posts: 2
in Problem solving


Hello Gardeners.

 I have bitter pit on my Laxtons Superb three year old apple tree, what should i do to stop this happening next season.

Jim........

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    Bitter pit is caused by the tree being unable to take up enough calcium.  Some types of apple are more prone than others. If you can get some calcified seaweed (the french call it Maerl), then spread that all over the root area at 100g per sq metre . Then top dress with compost. If you can't  get that use a balanced fertiliser and water well during the growing season. Too much nitrogen ( grass cuttings as a mulch ) will exacerbate the problem. You can spray with calcium nitrate  but that is not easy with big trees.

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    I bored deep holes round the root area of our Ashmead and filled them with Calcium. That did the trick for a couple of seasons.  I will need to do it again next Spring though.

  • arthurjimboarthurjimbo Posts: 2

    Thanks everyone.   Jimbo.

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