Apple trees

TGIN · Feb 13, 2011

We have some dwarf apple trees planted that this will be there 3rd yr . 2 of them had some apples last yr. but most of them fell off about mid summer . Was wandering when the trees need sprayed and with what and a idea about prunning them , this is our first go round with fruit trees other than a couple the deer and rabbits killed the first yr.

Mathias NY · Feb 13, 2011

Can you provide a little more information? Where are you located, what was the weather like, and what variety of apple are they? These things play a significant role in how the fruit matures.

TGIN · Feb 13, 2011

S.E. Indiana . It was wet up till about mid june then for the most part did not rain again till the first of Nov. , they fell off about mid july . The 2 with the apples were a Motsu and a Jonathon . The Motsu lost about half it s leaves also but did not see anything that looked like bugs or fungus , etc. but dont really know what I am looking for . Thanks for helping .

ohiojim · Feb 13, 2011

they call for 4 sprayings a year starting with a dormant spray before the bud appears, then when the bud appears, then the flower stage, then the fruit stage

8Nr--WI · Feb 13, 2011

ohiojim---do you have any specific types of spray that you use for each spraying?

Tim

El Toro · Feb 13, 2011

How old does the apple tree need to be when you start spraying? We have a Pink Lady planted that's been planted several years. It's supposed to be a dwarf too. Hal

GordoSD · Feb 13, 2011

There are about 1000 sites that are dedicated to the care and feeding of fruit trees. Hit some of them. Google is your friend.
I have some nice Harrelson and Granny Smith trees. Prune now. Get most of the small branches that are going back toward the middle of the tree.

Gordo

thurlow · Feb 13, 2011

Go you your local Extension office and ask for a spray schedule.......probably/should be for free.

Charlie M · Feb 13, 2011

I have a few apple trees and it probably depends some on where you live but around here in western NY there are several diseases and insects that affect fruit trees. Apple scab is my biggest problem. Some trees are more susceptible than others and you can buy varieties that are bred to be resistant. Trees can get diseased long before they produce apples and the old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure applies.Once you get a disease it can be hard to get rid of. I would find out what diseases and insects are a problem in your area and figure out where to go from there. I am also finding the fruit tree spray available to home owners is mostly useless. I'm going to look into some organic sprays this year and see if they do a better job.

johndeeregene · Feb 13, 2011

as the others have said any of the little leaders that come of the main beams, also any branchs that cross each other. as to spraying i will spray this week sometime for a dormment spray, then when it starts to get warm enough, starting spraying every 2 weeks until just before blooom until ALL REPEAT ALL BLOOMS ON THE TREES ARE GONE, because of the bees, a gentlemem puts 13 hives here evey year, then every 2 weeks until 3 weeks before harvest. i just use blondie fruit tree spray it has always done good job for me, buy it when on sale, i have over 60 fruit trees, from cherry to apply, we have them located on several locations on the farm because of bloom an harvest times an spraying.
make sure if you want more fruit an better fruit check into pollinaters.
just my 2 cents worth, an if you ask my wife it isnt worth that much.
johnndeeregene

bcdave · Feb 13, 2011

I have a commercial organic orchard in British Columbia. My recommendation to home owners here is to buy quality fruit from a commercial grower and plant shade trees. It will save a lot of frustration and $$$$. Timing is so important when spraying or the spray is wasted. If you miss a spray pests or disease set in it can spread to commercial orchards. This can be a disaster especially for organic farms where control can be tougher. If you still want to grow your few trees hire a reputable sprayer to do your spraying. my 2 cents worth.
DAVE

Mathias NY · Feb 13, 2011

The symptoms and conditions you describe sound more like drought than bugs or disease. Especially with young trees, water is essential. When water is in short supply, the tree will do its best to survive by shedding leaves and fruit.

The other posts contain some very good advice. You will definitely want to get more information for this coming growing season.

Good luck.

Crem · Feb 13, 2011

I have planted around a dozen different dwarf apple trees in my yard over the last 20 years and at first tried to spray them. It was quite a hassle to figure out what to use and when to do it plus it seemed like I would get the spray residue on myself. Now I don't spray them at all and have pretty good luck. Sure they probably don't look quite as nice as the ones that you buy but I have plenty and just use the best ones. Another thing that I have noticed is there is a lot of difference in the trees. Some of them will bear young and always have a nice crop every year and others take a lot longer to produce and may or may not produce a nice crop. I like having a number of varieties to choose from as they mature at different times and I actually like having apple trees in the yard.

Spook · Feb 13, 2011

I have 1 apple tree and several pear trees. I don't spray, but when the trees start setting fruit, I give them some water, and keep watering if the weather is hot. If I don't the fruit drops off, and the leaves start to curl up and drop off.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 14, 2011

I had the same happen to my young plums, suspect it is insufficient water,
We have just had 8 inches of rain in three tranches, the nectarines and peaches have fruit 1 and a half times the normal size, put that down to the abundance of water, I live in a reasonably dry , hot area. They haven't had it so good.

Apple trees

TGIN

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Mathias NY

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TGIN

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ohiojim

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8Nr--WI

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El Toro

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GordoSD

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thurlow

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Charlie M

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johndeeregene

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bcdave

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Mathias NY

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Crem

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Spook

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Anonymous-0

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