This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
how can I stop my apple stalks dropping off?
marion 4
Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
I bought a Red Windsor espalier last autumn and it seems to be growing happily against a south facing fence. I've been very excited to see lots of tiny apples appearing after a heavy blossom but now am aghast that many of the stalks are just dropping off....I only realised this yesterday when I decided to thin the apples out and so many of the tiny dead blossoms came off in my hand. I hardly dare look today ....am scared for my precious little tree. One thing I will mention. I sprayed the tree a couple of nights ago with a weak washing up liquid solution to kill greenfly.Was this wrong? Please help?
0
Posts
Marion - if your apple tree is as laden as you suggest, it is perfectly normal for the tree to shed the surplus it cannot support.
This is particularly noticeable next month, when fruit trees have what is known as the 'June drop'......it alarms people sometimes when the trees seem to be shedding all its fruit.
Also any flowers/ fruit that didn't get pollinated will drop, only the pollinated ones will continue forming into fruit
It is too early to think about thinning out the surplus fruit. Case of 'counting your chickens'. Wait until after the 'June drop' you may find there are less than you think.
It is good not to over-tax a young tree though so your aims are good; just a bit premature.
Thanks so much for good advice. Seems I'm a bit too enthusiast regarding thinning out. Will wait for 'June drop' and hope I've got at least 6 apples left afterwards! I've a lot to learn...
I the washing up liquid spray was week it will be fine. I get ants on a couple of mine that stop beneficial insects doing the work for me so I have to spray those or they get distorted.