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Rotten Apples
in Fruit & veg
I have an apple tree that I grew from a pip over 40 years ago. It was pot grown for most of it's life then planted out about 6-7 years ago but didn't really bear any fruit. Last year it produced about a dozen apples. This year it went mad and was laden. However the apples, although looking okay, are small and if I squeeze them gently they are mushy inside. I'm unsure if this is a problem that can be 'fixed' or if it's just a tree that produces bad fruit. Any ideas?
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On a separate tack..............
Blackbirds love cut up apples so if you are able feed them espescially as winter is coming
Watching them " hopping in " from the bottom of the garden is a joy
If you have space and it's a nice looking tree keep it for the bird food as NewBoy suggests. Occasionally a good apple comes from seed and a new variety is created, but mostly nothing much of quality for human consumption.
I like 'Sam's Early Compost'
In the sticks near Peterborough
Patience indeed! It's sentimentality really; I planted the pip when I was little and visiting my late aunt; she's the one who kept it for so long. I don't ever remember her getting rid of plants - there were straggly things growing everywhere in her house and garden.
While it was in a pot it would occasionally produce 1 solitary apple which was firm and rosy. But last years were mushy like this year and strangely even the birds wouldn't go near them!! I never tasted one but if the blackbirds were steering clear...!
I only have a small garden and it's not in a brilliant position but I think I'll give it another chance next year and see what I get otherwise 'Sam's Early Compost' (love that name) may sadly have to be consigned to apple tree heaven.