The columnar apple tree does not bear fruit: what to do, the reasons for the lack of harvest

Columnar apple tree - a variety that is valued for its decorative effect and high yield. Therefore, some summer residents are thinking: what to do if a columnar apple tree does not bear fruit. To cope with such a problem, you need to know the main reasons for its occurrence.

Why don't columnar apple trees bloom and bear fruit?

The main reason for the lack of large fruits on a columnar apple tree is the use of low-quality planting material. If the apple tree does not grow well, the problem of lack of yield can also be caused by insufficient tree care, harsh climatic conditions, diseases, deficiency or excess of minerals in the soil.

Variety feature

Poor apple harvest can be caused by improper selection of varieties for certain climatic conditions. Since the root system does not lie deep, such apple trees are afraid of frost, drafts, and water accumulation in the soil. These factors can lead to lower yields.

Wrong fit

Poor yields can also be caused by a violation of tree planting technology. During planting, it is important to choose the right place: it should not be under the open sun, as well as in the shade. Groundwater should be located deeper than 2-3 meters. There should be space between the trees. The best option is a gap of 5 meters.

Holes should be made with a diameter of 1 meter. During the planting of seedlings, they should not be buried much. Soil for a columnar apple tree should be enriched with iron.

Young age

These trees produce fruit a year after planting. But in some cases, this period may be shifted. This is especially true for situations where the plant is not planted in the southern regions. If a summer resident planted such a variety of apple trees in a temperate zone, he will receive the first harvest after 3-5 years.

Such features of fruit ripening are determined by the need to develop the root system.

Side branches

The columnar apple tree weakens with the development of side branches, so it is recommended to cut them in a timely manner. To reduce the number of side shoots, you can plant this variety at a distance of 1 meter from each other. According to statistics, this approach to planting doubles the yield of plants.

Lots of ovaries

This variety of apple trees often forms an increased number of ovaries.Because of this, the load on the tree increases, which adversely affects not only young plants, but also adults. In order to prevent a decrease in growth, a decrease in yield, it is necessary to thin out the ovaries within 1-3 years.

Incorrect cropping

If the thinning of the ovaries, pruning of side branches are carried out according to the wrong technology, the tree may respond with a decrease in yield. To prevent this, during the thinning of the ovaries, you must follow the rule: you need to leave flowers twice as many as the desired number of apples.

Columnar apple trees do not require rough pruning of the lateral stems. During this procedure, be sure to leave a 2-3 cm cutting. Also, the harvest may decrease if in previous years the summer resident inaccurately removed the fruits from the tree.

Harvesting in this way causes damage to the short twigs on which buds are laid for future harvest.

Intensive growth

With the active growth of the plant, it does not have resources for the formation of fruits. Because of this, it is recommended to cut off the top of the plant, leaving its height at 2-2.5 meters.

Frost

The columnar apple tree does not tolerate frost, so the tree should be insulated even before the onset of cold weather. Straw mulch, rags, burlap are used as insulation. Particular attention should be paid to the tree during the onset of spring frosts, when buds or flowers form on the branches. In this case, the crown should be wrapped with burlap or other covering material.

Poor pollination

If the plant does not bear fruit, it should choose a different variety for pollination. For this, an apple tree that blooms in a similar period is suitable. To increase the success of pollination, it is necessary either to plant another variety of apples nearby, or to graft it into the crown of an infertile plant.

You can increase pollination by planting nearby honey plants that will attract insects. You should also pay attention to the applied fertilizers, their amount should not exceed the allowable limits.

Micronutrient overload

A large amount of trace elements in the soil can also cause a lack of crops. For example, with a large amount of nitrogen in the soil, the tree will only form ovaries and flowers.

The optimal feeding scheme for such plants is fertilizing twice a year. Complex products should be used as fertilizers.

What to do to restore fruiting

To know how to make an apple tree bear fruit, you need to determine the reason for the lack of fruit. Based on it, it is required to adjust the care of the plant.

Correct and timely pruning

In order for the summer resident to get a rich harvest, he needs to follow the rules for pruning the plant:

• from the age of 5, the top of the plant should be cut regularly - the height of the tree should not exceed 4 meters;
• if cardinal pruning is necessary, it must be done gradually: over 2-3 years;
• side branches are cut at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from the trunk.

Regularity and dosed feeding

Feed the plant in moderation. In the first 1-3 years after planting, it will not need additional fertilization, subject to preliminary soil preparation. Further, the plant should be regularly fed with complex fertilizers.

They should be applied in moderation, excluding oversaturation of the soil with minerals that interfere with the growth of the tree and the ripening of its fruits.

Organizing a winter shelter

Insulate the landing is required before the onset of frost. The root area should be covered with mulch. It is also necessary to insulate the crown of the plant during the period of spring frosts. The best option for this is the use of burlap.

Rationing of ovaries

Organizing the correct rationing of the ovaries helps to maintain the yield of the plant. It is better to leave no more than a dozen flowers on a branch. It is worth considering that this approach to rationing will help to get a moderate annual harvest. If the summer resident does not want to normalize the ovaries, the apple tree can produce a bountiful harvest every 2-3 years.

Replant the apple tree

If poor fruiting is not related to the organization of plant care, then the soil or the place chosen for planting is not suitable for it. In this case, the apple tree is recommended to be transplanted. This can only be done with a young he althy plant.

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