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Apple tree pollinating Jonagold Elstar

Blondie73Blondie73 Posts: 26
in Fruit & veg

Hi everyone. I decided to bite the bullet and buy 2 apple trees which were sold to me by the GC as 'very dwarf'.  The label clearly says self pollinating, but on research as to how care for them various websites say they are not and will need a pollinator.  One is Jonagold the other is Elstar. I'm getting really confused about the whole pollinating thing and wondered if I need to buy more trees and if so what? 

Thank you so much for any advice to a beginner I do appreciate the kindness here. 

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I would take them back to the garden centre and tell them the labels are a fraud. Neither variety is self-pollinating and they won't pollinate each other. Just to add to the problem Jonagold is a triploid variety. You will need at least one other variety if you decide to keep them - a crab apple would do the job.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I had a Jonagold, along with six  other apples. (James grieve, discovery, cox, Tydemans early worcester, Lord Lambourne, Gala. ) I've given up on it after five years and pulled it out. Cox are supposed to be difficut to grow but I have had a wonderful crop on a four year old tree. James grieve tends to heavy crop alternate years with a smaller crop the following year. The early worcester is lovely, early September , very reliable  but doesn't keep.

    I agree with @Steephill, take them back. If they lie about them being self fertile, what about the rootstock.
  • Blondie73Blondie73 Posts: 26
    Wow that looks pretty! I will buy one of them, I have space nearby for that. Can I plant that now or wait until next year (my others have long since been planted and doing well)
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Do bullfinches not like Gala flower buds, @pansyface?  Or have your bullfinches gone to pastures new??  (My theory is that you've sent them over the Irish sea... this year we have a total of 4 flowers on our 2 mature plus 3 new apple trees - and 4 fat bullfinches, currently stuffing themselves with dandelion seeds.)  :)  
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I planted an Opal plum last winter.  Maybe it'll become the "sacrificial lamb"...
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I just like fruit...  I'm thinking of investing in quite a lot of those fine net bags sold in some supermarkets to use instead of plastic bags when buying fruit & veg.  They have a drawstring top, and I could enclose some of the lower branch ends in them before the buds swell next spring - then uncover them as the buds open, and get at least a few fruit.  I don't mind sharing with the wildlife, but it's a bit much when they snaffle the lot.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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