[davidbrew]

Hello
My Discovery trees now in their second year blossomed for the first time and each produced a few buds that fell when they reached the size of a small marble.The fruit is firm, but the one I'm looking at has a couple of small round shallow punctures, but some buds are unmarked. The fruit falls complete with stalk. My Ashmead haven't blossomed yet and I'm anxious that the fruit don't suffer the same fate. Could it be a deficiency in the soil, pests? Would appreciate advice.

[gobs]

Hello
My Discovery trees now in their second year blossomed for the first time and each produced a few buds that fell when they reached the size of a small marble.The fruit is firm, but the one I'm looking at has a couple of small round shallow punctures, but some buds are unmarked. The fruit falls complete with stalk. My Ashmead haven't blossomed yet and I'm anxious that the fruit don't suffer the same fate. Could it be a deficiency in the soil, pests? Would appreciate advice.

Do you mean fruit, when you say 'buds'? June drop is a very common and normal thing for a lot of fruit, especially apples to do. Keeping less fruit, that is in fact is managable to bear.

A 2 year old shold not be expected and let to fruit, anyway. Patience.

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Agree with the above as regards dropping fruit and they tend to drop slightly less as the years go by.  In relation to the small punctures - sometimes fruit can be a little mis-shaped initially - if there is no actual hole ie just a little dent - then it is probably ok.

[davidbrew]

Thanks for the comments - yes, I should have said 'fruit' not 'buds'.  Didn't know June drop was normal although this will mean these young trees will produce no fruit to harvest this year, but I gather this may also be normal  for their age.

[gobs]

Thanks for the comments - yes, I should have said 'fruit' not 'buds'.  Didn't know June drop was normal although this will mean these young trees will produce no fruit to harvest this year, but I gather this may also be normal  for their age.

You are welcome. It will do it in it's own good time. After next year you start looking at more than a couple of fruit just to try. Take blossom off till then.

[Nikkithefoot]

My Discovery has taken about 6 years to really become productive. This year is its best so far, helped by not having any late frosts as well.

It does ripen earlier than some, usually by mid-late August.

[Dominic]

Really you should stop your trees flowering for the first couple of years, if they have no fruit to feed, they improve there roots.

Better none in your first two years and 300 in your third, than 10 in the first year, 20 in the second and 50 in the third.

[sunshineband]

I jusy want to add to what has already been said--  fruit trees need plenty of water around fruiting time if they are to hang onto any sort of crop, young trees in particular.

Best of luck for next season 

[Aunt Sally]

Make sure you are pruning correctly and at the right time oif year.

[sunshineband]

Make sure you are pruning correctly and at the right time oif year.

Or you might end up with nothing 

[davidbrew]

So much to learn! But lots of good advice - thanks.