[RJR_38]

My parents came up to visit and rather than bringing me a chocolate Easter egg they got me an apple tree - yay! It is a 'patio' one - Cox's Pippin and is already about 5ft tall with lots of blossom. Is now a good time to plant it on the plot (or should I leave it in its pot which seems very small to me) and what kind of conditions does it like? I am trying to work out where on he plot to plant it

[gobs]

I'd plant it before the coming showers.

[Kleftiwallah]

and - Before it becomes rootbound.  Any sunny area will do.  Chuck a bit of general fertilizer into the hole and scatter on the infill.  Plant only as deep as it is in the pot.

Cheers,   Tony.

[Goosegirl]

I agree to plant it now but water it well a couple of hours beforehand. Make your planting hole about twice as wide as the pot and a bit deeper than the pot depth. Check for good drainage before you plant by filling it with water to see how fast it goes down. If ok, put some compost in the bottom of the hole then lift the tree out of its pot by knocking gently down on the rim. Put the empty pot in the hole and adjust the base level with more compost and a general fertiliser so the tree will be level with the surrounding soil when planted as Klefti says. Gently tease any roots around the root ball with your fingers, especially any that are going round it because they will continue to do that even after planting. Put the root ball in, turn it around to get its best position if needed and add some infill soil to half the depth then firm well but not too hard. Finish planting, firm again then add a bit more fertiliser on top. Water regularly, even if it rains. How lovely! 

[wbmkk]

rather than bringing me a chocolate Easter egg they got me an apple tree - yay!

That's my sort of gift .... a great idea. 

Just like folk who buy a bunch of flowers ... far better to buy a growing plant in a pot

[rowan57]

rather than bringing me a chocolate Easter egg they got me an apple tree - yay!

That's my sort of gift .... a great idea. 

Just like folk who buy a bunch of flowers ... far better to buy a growing plant in a pot

Don't go telling people that, those people pay my salary!

[Trillium]

Wish someone would buy me a fruit tree, not that I get chocolates either (iffy blood sugar levels).

A very nice choice for Easter gift. You could either plant it out now or put it in a slightly larger pot since it's a patio tree.

[RJR_38]

Thanks everyone I will get down there early tomorrow morning and plant it out - and hopefully beat the showers!  I have some of that fungus stuff I used for my bare root bushes as well so I will use that as well. I still haven't 100% decided where to put it as I have just finished laying all my beds and the only 'unstructured' space is full of potatoes. I have a couple of options though.

If it has lots of blossom do you think I am likely to get any fruit this year out of interest?

[Jay The Digger]

If it is covered in blossom, I would try and resist the urge to plant it straight away.

While its in a pot it is moveable, and you can shelter it from the rain, at least until the blossom dies back.  Make sure the bees can still get at it though.

I will look forlornly at my chocolate eggs tomorrow and think what could have been.  Great pressie.

[wbmkk]

I have some of that fungus stuff ...

Are you like me ... I can't spell and would never try and write out 'mycorrhizal fungi'

[RJR_38]

If it is covered in blossom, I would try and resist the urge to plant it straight away.

While its in a pot it is moveable, and you can shelter it from the rain, at least until the blossom dies back.  Make sure the bees can still get at it though.

I will look forlornly at my chocolate eggs tomorrow and think what could have been.  Great pressie.

Oh really? It is in a sheltered spot by the side of my shed at the moment - so rain can still get at it but no wind etc. Maybe I will just give it some shelter for the next few days then