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Egremont Russet failure

thatfatblokethatfatbloke Posts: 10
in Fruit & veg
I have had the above tree for about four years and it has never really done anything. This year it has produced fruit which just falls off when it gets to about the size of a golf ball. It's almost six feet tall now and I have never pruned it due to conflicting advice (elsewhere), so just left it. I will post a pic later. Thanks.

Posts

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619
    Usually apples will fail to develop if the tree is unable to get sufficient nutrition and water, is it planted close to trees or a hedge?  
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Mine is rubbish as well but admittedly I planted it bare-root and left it to its own devices. I don't know if it's a problem with the type of tree or the soil but all my other apples are thriving there. It flowered in December one year and now seems to have canker. All round a pretty poor specimin for a heritage variety.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    I planted an egremont russet four years ago, kept a circle around it weeded and mulched, and watered it via a buried bottle in dry spells.  At two years it had its first blossom, at three, two fruits which grew as big as broad beans before dropping, and this year it has ripened three fruits.  This is in north wales where the climate is much like Eastbourne.  I suggest Fatso and Wedges apply a little more tlc.   And Wedges, "heritage" doesn't mean disease resistant, low maintenance or quick growing, it means pretty much the opposite.  Those are the qualities commercial growers look for in a variety.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    ER is a superb apple.
    I used to have one years ago. It did take a few years to establish, but the apples were the best! Shop bought just don't compare with home grown.
    The flavour and perfume were outstanding.
    Sadly it had to go, but I planted a Hereford Russet a couple of years ago, so hoping for some fruit soon.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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