[Jim T]

When we bought our apple and pear trees from Gordale last Autumn, they told us to take off the flowers before they form fruit this first year -so that all the energy would go into making root. For more strength and fruit next year.

Do you all aggree with this idea?  :idea:  :?:

[Jake]

Yes

I would even say do this on the plants that say "fruits in first year".

[Jim T]

Yes

I would even say do this on the plants that say "fruits in first year".

  Many thanks for your prompt reply.
We will do it, and with the plums as well

[Bobby T]

Though I agree with the theory I would leave a few flowers/fruit on to make sure they are the right variety.Not unknown for labels to be wrong :!: Easier to seek redress this year than next  Bob

[Jim T]

Though I agree with the theory I would leave a few flowers/fruit on to make sure they are the right variety.Not unknown for labels to be wrong :!: Easier to seek redress this year than next  Bob

 :idea: Very good idea :!: Thanks

[crowndale]

Hmm, once bought a 'pear' tree.  Turned out to be bramly apples, not much difference there then!!  

[cozzcov]

I remember my granddad saying something about a 'June drop' - the tree natural loses some fruit - it sort of self thins its fruit - so you could do a bit of both - wait for the fruit to start growing and after the June drop thin out or prune off more of the fruits or all of them.  That way you've checked the fruit before it steal too much of the tree's energy and can then set about making a good strong root system?  

(I'm thinking of doing this once my apple tree arrives - it was ordered 3months ago!! And fruit trees are meant to be in before the end of March!!!  You'd have thought plant suppliers would know this.)

[always_mowing]

Hi.

This is what i have done with my new fruit trees and fruit bushes...your more than welcome to try...

Fertiliser comes with a guide of N.P.K....as far as i know it's for roots, shoots n fruits (i think it's in that order)...so i have given a good feed with something high in N (nitrogen) and lot lower in P and K.

also i'm letting them naturaly thin themselves which they are now doing even though the blossom has just finished some are falling off whilst the others start to swell.

i hope you have a crop no matter what you do, it'll always be better next year.

Tom.

[always_mowing]

Hi.

This is what i have done with my new fruit trees and fruit bushes...your more than welcome to try...

Fertiliser comes with a guide of N.P.K....as far as i know it's for roots, shoots n fruits (i think it's in that order)...so i have given a good feed with something high in N (nitrogen) and lot lower in P and K.

also i'm letting them naturaly thin themselves which they are now doing even though the blossom has just finished some are falling off whilst the others start to swell.

i hope you have a crop no matter what you do, it'll always be better next year.

Tom.

[Jim T]

Hi.

This is what i have done with my new fruit trees and fruit bushes...your more than welcome to try...

Fertiliser comes with a guide of N.P.K....as far as i know it's for roots, shoots n fruits (i think it's in that order)...so i have given a good feed with something high in N (nitrogen) and lot lower in P and K.

 :? About this NPK thing. As a newby, I have been trying to find some basic rules about nutrition of vegies and I found these:


1.Plants use nitrogen for leaf production,

2. phosphorus for root and flower production and

3. potassium for flower production and general vigor.

This seems to conflict. Can the experts clarrify please?