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Apple tree dilemma
Charmaine3004
Posts: 8
Hi everyone I am a new member to this site and this is my first attempt at 'blogging'/threads so forgive any errors. I was hoping to glean some information about siting a Redlove Apple tree I have just ordered online. I contacted the firm I purchased the tree from before buying to ask if it could be sited in a sheltered spot with only limited sun (North facing). They replied yes, as long as it gets some sun. I ordered the tree and then later that day I came across a you tube video about the tree and its planting. They state on the video it must be a sunny site. ???? I am now in a dilemma as to whether to plant it in a pot first and start it off somewhere sunny or just plant it in the ground where I had planned to plant it all along. Does anyone have one of these trees and if so, please can you share your wisdom? Many thanks. Charmaine.
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Welcome to the forum, this was my first forum too, they really are a great group of people
Congrats on your new apple tree! The best site would be a really sunny one, but it dosent really matter, the vast majority of apples are really tough, as long as tgey have a few hours of sun each day, its fine. The only thing really you need to be sure to do is plant it with plenty of good stuff dug in, i use muck, but blood, fish and bone is popular too, im sure you could use them together, and keep it really well watered for the first year
"They" say you should remove all blossom in the first year to make sure the tree uses its energy to establish, i have to confess, ive never had the discipline to do it, mine grew ok...spose im a rebel!
Thanks for your replies, I am really grateful for your tips.
I didn't know blood, fish and bonemeal was good to use for Apple trees.... I've got some of that already... The video showed root boosting food. I suppose that's a sales ploy eh? . As for well rotted muck.... There are horses up in a field at the back of my house.... Do I need to don wellie boots and grab a bucket and spade? (And latex gloves too!) eeeeeewwwww
The site I purchased it from said it should grow to appx 1.5 - 2m so I guess it is semi dwarf.
I am still torn as to whether to start it off in a pot or not.... I guess I will go with my gut. I keep looking at the spot it's aimed for and see no sun at all but to be fair, there hasn't been much around anywhere really.
Thanks again for your replies, I was so giddy to hear back from people.
Cheers
Charmaine.
If that root boosting stuff was miccrorhysal (?) Fungi, its good stuff, i use it when i can, its not suitable for everything, so check the pack. But its your choice
If possible, i always grow things in the ground, they do much better, ive seen redlove, but dont know much about it, there are a few varieties that need a really sheltered, sunny spot, granny smith for instance (on my wish list!), but honestly, i think you will be pleasently supprised how tough apple trees are . Dont worry about getting the planting spot wrong as you will be able to move it if you find it would be happier somewhere else, just wait til autumn
Sorry, i hadnt read the post properly, didnt notice the fresh muck bit! Charmaine, ask the owners of the horses, they might have a pile thats been there for ages, lots of horse owners cant get rid of the stuff!
Please keep us posted on how your tree does, ive got a bit of a "thing" for fruit trees, redlove might go on the list too!
I'm a fruit growing Virgin as I have never attempted 'growing my own' apart from 1 tomato plant last year as my garden really isn't all that big and I am a flower and wildlife-aholic so 95% of any space is filled with flowers or a pond or bug hotels etc.
I am very giddy about the Apple tree and I will take your advice Bekkie and plant it in the spot I have set aside for it. I will take a trip to the garden centre at the weekend (if we are not snowed in!) and maybe investment in some food/root stuff just to give the tree the best start it can have.
Sadly, due to my lack of space, I have nowhere to store a thick builders bag (that is so funny) so I may have to give the horse muck a miss. I will remember the bag 'gag' for a long time though. Ha ha.
Thanks again everyone. Have a super day.
Not sure where you live, how able bodied you are, how much you want to spend, but if you want a few bags of muck, i use a site called creativegardenideas, if you spend 30 pounds, delivery is free to most parts of the country
Very excited for you
Thanks for your reply... Ready to use muck eh? Is there nothing they haven't thought of?
I live in West Yorkshire and I'm (thank God) fit and healthy so muck digging in would be no problem for me. I will check out the website. Thanks for the tip.
I hope I do get hooked on growing my own, I have thought of growing some fruit/veg in my flower borders to see how I get on...... Hmmmmmm, you've got me contemplating now.
I had an email to say my tree was being delivered today so when o get home from work, I will unpack it and get it in a bucket of water. I won't get chance to plant it now til Saturday (do you think it will be ok in water til then?) but I will say words of encouragement to it is it goes into the ground. I will try and get some used muck too. Have a top tastic day
Thsnks again for your replies, I really appreciate your help.
Probably not worth going on that site for one bag, better to pop to b and q or the garden centre
Im in the west mids
Check out Geoff Hamiltons ornamental kitchen garden seris, you will most likely find it on youtube, sounds right up your street
My lips are sealed! I shall tell no one of your bucket of water practice.
I have found somewhere close by that sells the 'Oss' muck so I shall hotfoot it down there at the weekend
My tree has not turned up yet and I am a tad anxious but I am sure it will be here soon. I will have a look for Geoff Hamilton on you tube, cheers for that
Have s fab day I the sunny West Mids. It's hail stoning here!
Charmaine
Hi Charmaine & welcome to the forum
Planting a tree is always exciting! Good advice from Bekkie & co above.
I have used the mycchrorizal fungi for trees, shrubs and roses - and can thoroughly recommend it. It really speeds up the development of a large network of the finer fibrous roots which are important for the take up of water and food.
If you are unable to plant the tree this weekend make sure you wedge it in somewhere so it doesn't get blown over in the strong winds which are forecast - I had a broken branch on a baby crab apple after failing to do so last year (school girl error
)