[Amilo]

I am at the moment in Portugal and I have bought a Maiden Apple in a pot, the tree is just started open its leaves, I wont be home until the beginning of May and I'm thinking that I may need to harden the plant before I leave it out full time.

Any comments or suggestions.

[Yorkie]

Apples are fully hardy so it should be OK unless it's being grown indoors in a conservatory at present.

You could always fleece it if frosts are indeed forecast once back in the UK.

[Amilo]

Thanks for the reply, as I am in Portugal the temperatures here at in the mid 20's which I suppose is the equivalent to a green house in the UK at the moment, it is for that reason that I asked the question about hardening the tree off. Its going to go from a hot climate to a cold climate  in about a week, or the length of time it takes me to drive home in our Motor Home.

[Yorkie]

I guess it won't hurt to acclimatise it for a week or so if we continue to have cold nights once you're back here.  It will probably start the hardening off process during your drive back here anyway.

[Amilo]

OK... Thanks.

[Amilo]

A new development with the apple tree, the season is so far advanced here now that the tree is in full leaf and is in the process of flowering.

Should I let it flower and remove the fruit if ant setts or should I let the fruit develop?