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Apple Tree Advice

FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
edited April 2020 in Fruit & veg
Afternoon everyone!
im hoping to get a few apple trees on the go in pots. I’ve narrowed down a few from the squillions to choose from and wondered if anyone had experience of them? I’m totally new to apples, so don’t want anything that will require expert pruning/care, but happy to learn basics. I am growing in pots as my soil is pretty horrendous (top of a hill, clay/chalk/flint- like concrete in summer etc) and as it can get a bit windy here in a storm it gives me the opportunity to move them to a more sheltered spot if I need to.
Here are my choices so far, am I covered in terms of pollination? I’m also not sure which would be the best rootstock- Id like the trees to be a mature height of around 6ft and not too scrappy in growth habit, as they will be on show quite a bit. I’ve not tasted these apples so going by description (I missed the apple days last year and don’t want to miss another year of growth). I like a firm, crunchy, tangy apple like Braeburn or a crispy cox but really hate them when they are soft! I’m n Hertfordshire.
Falstaff
Katy
Meridian
Kerry Pippin
Keswick Codlin cooker

Many thanks for any thoughts- still open to suggestions too! I’m planning on ordering from Chris Bowers- reliable company? 😃

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I grow Red Falstaff which is an excellent large crisp eating apple and is incredibly productive.  It came from Falstaff which I believe is similar in all respects so can (sort of) recommend that one.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Great! Thanks Bobthegardener! I was dithering between Falstaff/red falstaff so good to know either is a good choice! How long would I be waiting for a crop do you think- I am assuming I will get one or two after a couple of years on a dwarfing rootstock?
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    She is Bonny indeed Pansyface, thanks so much for the pics! Are you training her? I’d like mine to make a semi formal boundary to my veg area and stand between pergola posts on the patio (I have a dream of having a meal outside and teaching over to grab an apple for pudding lol) the patio area is our next big project, probably later this year, so want to get the apples established in their pots!
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    I take it you like the apple itself lol? I am torn between Keswick and Newton Wonder...so many varieties! I need to stop looking!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited April 2020
    A lot depends on where you are I think.  I got mine from here:
    and it blossomed after only 1 year, but I removed all fruit to let it put down some roots.  Note that this one sets too well if anything and fruit will need thinning every year or it will literally break itself!
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    pansyface said:
    Keswick Codlin is a good cooker. Don’t know Newton Wonder.

    If you want to weep, take a look at this website...

    http://www.bernwodeplants.co.uk/applelist.htm

    They have supplied me with quite a few apple trees. All good strong plants.
    😩😩😩😩 😂 That’s another evening of bedtime reading lol! Thank you!

  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    BobTheGardener said:
    A lot depends on where you are I think.  I got mine from here:
    and it blossomed after only 1 year, but I removed all fruit to let it put down some roots.  Note that this one sets too well if anything and fruit will need thinning every year or it will literally break itself!
    Thanks, yes I was going to order from them so that’s good to know!

    its quite exciting this kind of investment!
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