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Undercover appple tree: very sudden change

ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
in Problem solving
Hi,

Really worried about the apple tree (4 years of age). It stands in a polytunnel and was strong and healthy with lots of blossoms untill 4 days ago.
Then on one day all the blossoms fell off, leaves drooping, some leaves curling. No other signs, no insects or discoloration. The second tree is doing fine. 

The tunnel used to belong to my friend who sadly passed away last autumn and the family wanted me to use it. I am completely new to polytunnels and gardening in general. Because my friend liked her apple trees soo much, it would be devastating if I had killed one of them! I mainly use the polytunnel for growing seedlings.

I might have overwatered the apple tree, is this possible? I watered them every day. I now know that this is too much so I stopped doing this.
Another possibility is heat. I saw that the temperature had raised to 40 degrees on one occasion, I think that was around the day that the problem occurred.

I wish some one could reassure me that it probably will get better...
Anything that I can do that might help?

The polytunnel is 6 miles away from my house, I go once or twice a day, but I am not around all day. I am in North Scotland..

Thanks.
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Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Not sure why apple trees in a polytunnel but then see you are in North Scotland.
    The difference in temperature?
    Had the trees been watered and then the warmth increased?
    Or watered and then temp went down very very much?
    Being in the total end of the country and growing apple trees outside I really don't know the answer to your problem but don't give up on them as fruit trees are very strong plants and will have a year off so maybe this is this year.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Are you sure they are apple trees? It is very early for apple blossom even here in the south of England, I don't expect to see any until next month but mine are in the open not a polytunnel. I would think a 4 year old apple tree might be getting a bit big for a polytunnel so maybe think about planting it outside.
  • ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
    Yes I am sure they are apple trees. James Grieve and Kathy. I saw and ate their apples in the past years. I am on the Northern Isles and it is not uncommon here to have apples and pears and other fruit undercover. It lengthens the season, which is very short here. And I guess the main reason is that there is no wind in a polytunnel. We have lots of gales and few trees outside - planting outside is not an option.

    They have been watered everyday regardless whether the temperature dropped or raised. It has been as cold as -1 and as warm as +40. Usually it is between +5 and +30 ( only for a short while, when the sun is out). I started watering when it started showing sign of live. 

    I hope I didn't kill it's root system. I stopped watering 4 days ago, the soil around the tree seems to dry out.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can you show us some photos of the whole tree please. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    In a poly tunnel I suppose there is no automatic air vent for ventilation when it gets too hot?
    I expect your friend opened the door for that.
    So the vast changes in temperature might be contributing to the problem.

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Undercover apple tree sounds like the worst TV crime show ever.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    You really are a long way north, practically Norway :) Looks like you have a polycrub, a Shetland speciality. As suggested it might just be temperature fluctuations but have a check for blossom wilt https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=92  has more info. I don't see any of the typical browning of blossom and shoots that it causes though.

  • ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
    Wild edges Not where I live.

    Thanks K67, so you think it might be related to temperature and ventilation.
    I usually go to open the door in the morning and close it in the evening. But surely she would have done it more dutifully - eg as soon as the sun comes up. 

  • ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
    Thank you so much, steephill you are right, this is a polycrub in Shetland. Thanks for the suggestion, will have a look.
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