Q. My Fuji apple tree is six years old and has never had
any flowers. Is it still maturing, or should I get rid of it?
A. Most of what you’re talking about depends on whether
your apple tree was grafted or not and which type of Fuji apple tree you have.
If you bought a tree grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock, you should see spur and
flower development by the third to fifth year after planting. If it is not
grafted but growing on its own roots, then it could take 6 or more years before
it starts flowering.
your apple tree was grafted or not and which type of Fuji apple tree you have.
If you bought a tree grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock, you should see spur and
flower development by the third to fifth year after planting. If it is not
grafted but growing on its own roots, then it could take 6 or more years before
it starts flowering.
Try
reducing the amount of fertilizer applied to this tree by half. If the tree is
growing well, then don’t fertilize it again. A young apple tree like yours
should grow about 18 inches a year. If the average new growth is more than
this, reduce or eliminate the fertilizer applied next spring by at least half.
reducing the amount of fertilizer applied to this tree by half. If the tree is
growing well, then don’t fertilize it again. A young apple tree like yours
should grow about 18 inches a year. If the average new growth is more than
this, reduce or eliminate the fertilizer applied next spring by at least half.
Fruit
trees that were planted in soil amended with a good quality compost may not
need a fertilizer application for 2 years after planting. It depends on the
amount of new growth each year. The high nitrogen content of fertilizers, and
some types of rich compost, may push new growth excessively at the expense of
making flowers.
trees that were planted in soil amended with a good quality compost may not
need a fertilizer application for 2 years after planting. It depends on the
amount of new growth each year. The high nitrogen content of fertilizers, and
some types of rich compost, may push new growth excessively at the expense of
making flowers.
When
winter pruning apple trees, prune back last year’s growth to no more than 18
inches. Pruning back excessively long growth encourages fruit production closer
to the trunk.
winter pruning apple trees, prune back last year’s growth to no more than 18
inches. Pruning back excessively long growth encourages fruit production closer
to the trunk.