Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: londongardener on December 27, 2018, 12:25

Title: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: londongardener on December 27, 2018, 12:25
I have 2 M9 trees in pots and they rarely fruit because when I go on holiday no one waters them and they lose their apples.  The tree in the garden does well despite this.
I have an allotment and am thinking of moving them but would they cope? Would it be easier to just buy some?  I am not too sure if I like these varieties that much.

I am really confused.
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: Lardman on December 27, 2018, 13:02
Assuming they're not acting as pollinators for the other tree in the garden, you can transplant them easily but in my experience it takes a year for them to settle in, the same time as a new tree would.

I am not too sure if I like these varieties that much.

I think you've answered your own question there. If you don't like them - don't plant them.  There are so many good apple varieties available why be stuck with ones you don't like. What are they and what's wrong with them?

Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: londongardener on December 27, 2018, 13:50
Assuming they're not acting as pollinators for the other tree in the garden, you can transplant them easily but in my experience it takes a year for them to settle in, the same time as a new tree would.

I am not too sure if I like these varieties that much.

I think you've answered your own question there. If you don't like them - don't plant them.  There are so many good apple varieties available why be stuck with ones you don't like. What are they and what's wrong with them?

One is Ashmead's Kernel so I am not a great fan of it.  The other is Pixie which to be fair is ok.  The tree in the garden is a family tree so needs no help.  If I were to start from scratch I would get an cooking - and probably should for the allotment as my wife is a big fan of my cooking apple mix.  I do it with raisins, linseed, softfruit, no sugar and tastes wonderful if I do say so myself. 
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: Lardman on December 28, 2018, 10:25
I'm a big fan of Ashmeads Kernel  :ohmy:

Is that recipe for a baked apple ? You might want something which retains it's shape when cooked something like Annie Elizabeth or there are a host of puree and fluff apples like Newton Wonder, Edward VII , Blenheim Orange for mid to late season. Earlier ones like Arthur Turner and Grenadier don't keep as well so may not be the best choice for a single tree unless you want a freezer full of puree.

If all else fails there's always a Bramley  :D  :nowink:
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: sunshineband on December 28, 2018, 11:40
But if you go for a Bramley, do make sure there are two other trees in flower at the same time for pollination (it is a triploid variety) Well worth it though!

If you have the space, why not plant your potted trees in the ground at your plot, as they clearly dont reward you much in the garden, and maybe add a cooker to them? I rather like Ashmead's Kernel too, a nice russet with an unusual aromatic flavour.. it is also a triploid, but presumable t home was pollinated via varieties on your family tree?

Neither Bramley nor AK can act as pollinators them selves, so at the plot another one in addition to Pixie would be needed, either on your plot or somewhere nearby
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: londongardener on December 28, 2018, 20:41
Thank you all for the words of advice.  If I do move them - how should I do it?
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: Lardman on December 28, 2018, 21:16
Thank you all for the words of advice.  If I do move them - how should I do it?

Trees are pretty robust when dormant.

If they're in pots just dig a pot sized hole in the ground and plonk them in at the same soil level as in the pot, this time of the year is ideal but you'll be fine anytime until spring. Perhaps a mulch with some well rotted manure after just make sure it's not in contact with the trunk. I'd also give them a bit of a prune to make them easier to transport as much as anything. Don't forget a stake not a silly bamboo cane, the idea is to stop the tree rocking.
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: londongardener on December 31, 2018, 17:09
Thank you for all your help.  I went to move them today and found that one had been badly damaged and is not worth moving.  The other one was so root bound and big that I tried but decided not to move, the idea gave me stomach pains.
Thanks again anyway.  I think buying some new ones is easiest.
I think moving could be a good idea for someone more able than me.
Title: Re: Move apple trees in pots to the allotment or just buy new?
Post by: Goosegirl on January 01, 2019, 12:57
We have an old Bramley tree which we inherited when we moved in 30+ years ago and it is the best cooking apple ever. Living in a quite isolated area the nearest apple tree is probably 2+ miles away but we always get some fruit every year.