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How to Plant Apple Trees (continued - page 4)
Where To Grow Apple
trees are tolerant of most soil conditions - extremes of acid or
alkaline soil will need to be corrected before planting. Perfect
conditions are a crumbly soil with medium fertility and slightly on the acid side. Soil Preparation If the tree is being planted in soil which has previously been fertilised
for other crops, do not add more fertiliser - too fertile a soil will
result in too much tree growth at the expense of too little fruit growth. If the tree is being planted in a lawn, prepare as above, working in three
handfuls of bonemeal or other long-lasting fertiliser. When
and How To Plant Apple Trees
Planting is simple - in basic terms, dig a hole large enough to easily take the
roots, place the tree in the hole and cover the roots with soil up to
the surrounding ground level. Simple enough, but bear in mind a few points. Don't add any fertiliser to the soil at this time - it may burn the roots and
it will only encourage tree growth at the expense of fruit growth.
The tree should be planted to the same depth as it was in the pot (or the
soil mark on the trunk in the case of bare-rooted trees). If in doubt,
make sure that the joining point between the rootstock and scion (see
previous section entitled rootstocks) is at least 5cms (2in) above
ground level. Having planted the tree, firm down the soil using
your boots to ensure the soil is in good contact with the roots. Water
well if the conditions are dry.
The stake should be 8cm (3in) or so from the main stem. Tie the
trunk to the stake in one or two places using plastic ties available
from garden centres. Do not use wire or anything which could cut into
the tree trunk. The ties will need to be checked for the first couple of
years to ensure that growth of the tree trunk has not caused them to become too tight.
More
vigorous varieties will also need staking during their first two years
after planting - after this time the stakes can be removed.
Apple trees prefer full sun, although they will tolerate some shade.
Pick a position that will not become water-logged, and that is not in a
"frost pocket" (a low-lying area where cold air gathers and settles).
Soil preparation is best done a month or more before planting so that
the soil has time to settle. Dig a 60cm (2ft) deep by 1.2m (4ft) square
hole, incorporating as much organic material as possible - aim to get the soil crumbly.
Planting apple trees should be done any time during the winter and early Spring months,
October to
December being the best months.
Trees on the following rootstocks will need staking throughout their lives -
M9, M26 and M27. Stakes should be 5cm (2in) diameter and in general
about 1.5m (5ft) high - 60cm (2ft) below ground, and the remainder above
ground.
Name: jim@GardenAction
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 30, 2011 - 03:00 am
Message: Hello Jennifer
You have lots of great tropical fruit, grow them, apple trees need a cool climate.
Name: jennifer operania
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 29, 2011 - 05:40 am
Message: Hi I am from Philippines,i want to plant an apple but the truth is i don't have an idea planting this kind of trees.I am so curious if this plant will grow in our country,i really want to try it..please help me and give me some idea..
Name: jim@GardenAction
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 07, 2011 - 01:45 pm
Message: Hello Paul.
Get local advice. You may have to pay,but it's worth it.
Name: Paul maph
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 07, 2011 - 07:10 am
Message: I am in Lesotho and would like to grow apple trees. I have capital to grow about 1000 trees, I have a very basic knowledge on peach tree treatment and would to acquire as much info as I possibly can on the subject..
Name: jim@GardenAction
E-mail: Private
Date posted: October 23, 2011 - 11:52 pm
Message: You have great tropical fruit in Malaysia. Grow them, they do better than apples which need a chill in winter.
Name: YH Loh
E-mail: Private
Date posted: October 23, 2011 - 11:10 am
Message: Hi I am YH Loh from Malaysia i have 3 young apple tree planted from seed (i buy the apple from Hypermarket than i notice the seed is growing so i try it)now about i inc. Malaysia is in tropical weather it is OK to plant a apple tree. Its there a Abrasia Variety apple from Italy because the label stated.And I also have a Fuji Variety about 6 inc.
Thank you
Name: jitendra
E-mail: jitendra.bihola@yahoo.com
Date posted: October 06, 2011 - 12:39 am
Message: Hi I am from gujrat Amdabad and I planing for farming for apple. Please suggest
Name: adrin
E-mail: kisakye.reagan@yahoo.com
Date posted: October 05, 2011 - 09:31 am
Message: i would like know if apples an survive in mukono district in uganda ?
Name: ANUP VIJ
E-mail: vizzy08@yahoo.com
Date posted: August 22, 2011 - 10:50 am
Message: hOW TO PLAN A ORCARD OF M 9 ROOTSTOCK
Name: kabakubya
E-mail: kpaulkab@yahoo.com
Date posted: August 15, 2011 - 06:43 pm
Message: Sir,what ocoulb be the right season for the apples grow in uganda?
Name: kier
E-mail: kiersFV@hotmail.co.uk
Date posted: July 26, 2011 - 11:12 am
Message: when is the planting season for alpples
Name: sunil sharma
E-mail: sunilsharma3166@gmail.com
Date posted: July 24, 2011 - 12:04 pm
Message: shape of apple fruit is not so good,what should i do.
Name: N.V.JOSEPH
E-mail: indoflora2005@yahoo.com
Date posted: July 22, 2011 - 03:02 am
Message: I am Joseph, from Idukki District in Kerala, Planing to grow some apple trees, plz give the suggetions.......
Name: jason dean hall
E-mail: jhall89@sky.com
Date posted: July 21, 2011 - 02:45 pm
Message: do u plant all fruit trees the same time as apple trees
Name: sirisha
E-mail: sirirathnam@gmail.com
Date posted: July 09, 2011 - 03:00 am
Message: hi...... i planning to apple plantation give me some suggesation
Name: claire
E-mail: engelclaire@hotmail.com
Date posted: July 07, 2011 - 02:02 pm
Message: i found a apple tree in a ditch covered in plastic i think it had been their a few weeks ,the roots had no root ball i pruned it back and found green wood what are the chances of it growing and what care should i give, i have soaked in water overnight and planted in a tub. thanks claire
Name: destiny
E-mail: des_techlinks@yahoo.com
Date posted: June 18, 2011 - 09:18 am
Message: HELLO am DESTINY DAVID from Nigeria i have difficulty growing apples in cross River State .please help me out..........
Name: marina
E-mail: kearney.marina@gmail.com
Date posted: June 13, 2011 - 11:49 am
Message: hello we just bought two apple trees and wounder if we can plant them now or should wait till fall please help thank you
Name: Emeka
E-mail: Adulphugwuta@yahoo.com
Date posted: June 03, 2011 - 04:35 am
Message: Hello, am emeka from nigeria. I have 10 apple trees which i grew from seed. They are about 5 months to 10 months old. Though i have planted them in a farm last month,may. I didnt fertilize it,but i marshed it with natural organic from cow. Please in need support on how to care for them. How many fit will it grow befor i can cut it. More help please.
Name: Bonnie
E-mail: bh.mills@telus.net
Date posted: May 03, 2011 - 10:21 pm
Message: I wonder if anyone knows the name of an apple which is oval, almost egg shaped, and yellow with a pink blush to the tender skin. I have never seen another apple like this and my tree was cut down by the county road commission when they cleared my road. I thought it may have been an old variet from the eary 1900's planted long before the road was made.