Take care of your apple tree 10 proven tips
10 Tips for Growing Healthy Apple Trees
Watering: When the tree is small (15-20 cm), water every 10-12 days. As it grows, reduce watering but keep the soil moist. In summer, water every 1-2 weeks.
Pest Control: Protect young trees from deer with fencing. Use sprays to repel insects and deal with common pests like apple maggots using sticky red balls.
Fertilizing: Fertilize every spring with 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer. Apply under the canopy, adjusting the amount based on tree size.
Pruning Young Trees: Prune minimally in the first few years to avoid delaying fruit production. Remove misplaced shoots promptly.
Branch Training: Shape branches for optimal growth. Bend and tie branches to achieve a more favorable angle (greater than 35 degrees).
Thinning Fruit: Remove excess fruit to prevent overloading branches and improve apple quality. Aim for 1-2 apples per bunch, spaced 15-20 cm apart.
Annual Pruning: Prune mature trees yearly when dormant. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches and those growing too low or straight up.
Topdressing in Autumn: Replace surface soil in pots with nutrient-rich soil. In early spring, apply nitrogen-based fertilizer and spray leaves with urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solutions.
Watering Potted Trees: Adjust watering frequency based on season and climate. In summer, water twice daily; in spring and autumn, water every 1-2 days. Reduce watering during rainy seasons and drain excess water promptly.
Monitoring Health: Regularly check local precipitation, and water when leaves wilt. Avoid drying out the tree to prevent it from dying.
Additional Tips:
- Plant seeds in separate pots to avoid competition.
- Grow buds in pots until they reach 40-60 cm in height.
- Inspect apples for bugs and scars before consumption.
- Refer to local resources or books for detailed apple tree care
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