[karma22]

i have planted 2 fruit trees in big pots. they are opal plum and golden delicious apple. does anyone else have these variies and are they good fruiters??

[SnooziSuzi]

Hi Karma22,   Golden Delicious on its own won't produce any fruit for you, unless somewhere nearby has another tree that flowers at the same time.

Lots of fruit trees need other fruit trees that flower at the same time as they do in order to cross pollinate.  without another tree in the same pollination group you will struggle to get even one apple I'm afraid

The plum, however is self fertile, meaning it will produce fruit without another tree nearby because its own pollen can pollinate its own flowers.

Have a look at http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/default.aspx for some really good information on which trees will help with pollination and on tips on keeping them productive.

happy fruiting

[Nobbie]

I planted an Opal three years ago and it's now about 10 foot high and finally managed 3 flowers this year none of which set Hope you're a patient gardener

[brownp]

Are all plum trees self-fertile? I have a victoria plum tree that is now in its 4th season - it has never blossomed - it looks really healthy yet never does anything.....

[mumofstig]

victoria is self-fertile.
Do you know what rootstock it's on? Unless it's on a dwarfing rootstock, it may take ages to fruit

[Dominic]

If its not flowering, its likely a root stock issue.
You can get fruit on very vigourous rootstocks, that are, eventualy, very productive, but can take a decade to start producing.

If its flowering, but not fruiting, then its a pollination issue.

That said, my cherries are supposed to grow to 10 metres, but the supermarket lopped the top off, and they have fruited from the get go.