New shoots on Fruit Tree (Pear) - ?????

[mbronco27_03]

About 3-4 ago I bought 3 fruit trees on offer from Lidl (cherry, Pear, & Jonagold Apple), and for first couple weeks kept the roots wrapped, putting them into water when they were looking a little dry.

Then with the bad frosts, decided for the time being to get a bid builders bucket, fill it with soil from ground, and put the trees in there to keep them going until ready for going in the gound.

I have kept these buckets in my garage, so kept away from the elements. I noticed last night, and took the attached picture this morning, that some of the buds have started sprouting, and im completely confused as to why in Autumn/Winter, they would start doing this, its only happened on the Pear tree though. I haven't given them any water for about 2.5weeks, and its just in a builders bucket, take a look at the picture, and would appreciate any advice, or knowledge as to why this is happening?

Also how long can I leave them in these buckets, before they die, as I want to make sure they are safe to put in the ground, ie. no frosts.

Thanks

Stu

[lynda66]

not sure about why, but my fruit bushes (from Lidl) have all started sprouting too, think it's just the warm weather we're getting ...... everythings confused, theres a few people with snowdrops too ..... think everything thinks it's spring ....... i'd be inclined to put them in the ground with a fleece covering if possible to keep them warm should there be more frost, this will give them chance to build up a good root system for next year

[mbronco27_03]

Hi Lynda,
Thanks for that, I think I shall go buy some fleece this weekend, and attempt to get them in the ground, providing the outlook for the following weeks weather looks ok.

Whats with the vampire link on your signature?

Stu

[lynda66]

wilkies have some fleece in rolls for a couple of quid .......... i'm a vampire ..... go join ..... it's fun, and i get 10 pints of blood

[Irie Jan]

Snap! I had kept my pare and chery trees in my greenhouse still in the packing, I did not water them, my green house is in need of some new glass in the roof so pleanty of ventilatiion to keep them cool so they did not dry out! LOL

I planted Them about a week after I bought them from Lidl! I soaked the roots while I dug each hole then only gave each a little water to settle them as it had started to rain as I planted them TYPICAL! lol I thought I had better get them in, give then a chance to settle before we get any real cold weather or frost! I thought perhaps a bit of rain would be the lesser eveil than frost for newly planted trees!

The cherry is as bare as can be, nothing on it at all! My pare tree is sprouting like mad it has so many green shoots all over it already! From the looks of your pic Mine has sprouted a bit more than yours. I was a bit worried as well I hope the poor little things will be ok over winter!

[mbronco27_03]

I think mine has been limited due to it being in some soil in a builders bucket, as by the time I get home at night, its pitch black, and at the weekends, either I havent been there, or its been frosty when I was. But I would like to get them into the ground, and can then see how they fare!!!

[FB.]

Some of my apples and pears are opening buds at the same time as the older leaves are falling. Several of my apples flowered during late summer and early autumn - and some of the spring bulbs - crocus, snowdrop and daffodil - (but not mine) have flowered in this area.
It's probably because the autumn was better than the summer and the plants are confused.

As for what to do about it?
I left mine to "get on with it", but I also wondered about "nipping it in the bud" so to speak - and nipping off the buds that shouldn't be opening.
Nipping off the opening buds might prevent the trees from wasting their stored reserves from growing leaves just as winter is coming.

[Mcbee]

it probably is something to do with the mild weather. But i wonder if the trees / bushes had been kept really well chilled by Lidl's to help with storage. When they have then been put in stores (and then taken home) they experienced a significant change in the ambient temperature which made then act like it was spring. So i wonder if it was ultimately how they were stored that has caused the trees to act this way?

My own friut trees have virtually lost all their leaves now and there is no sign of then starting to bud, so the Lidl trees do seeming to be reacting differently. I'm sure it won't make a signifiacnt difference in the long term. After the arctic blast coming this weekend they will probably be leafless!!!!

[FB.]

Just had another close look at those shoots. That's actually a lot of shoots.
If you "nip" that lot, it might spoil the tree growth shape next year. But if you don't nip them, it might waste most of it's reserves adn take a couple of years to recover.
How warm is your garage? Is it too warm?

I'd take the trees out of the garage and temporarily bury their roots in the ground, until their proper planting holes are ready. Hopefully, the cold blast of winter heading our way this weekend will persuade them to go into hibernation.

[Nicos]

Are you SURE it's a pear tree???

Looks a bit like a currant bush...or are there loads in the bucket?

Yep..the shoots are there cos it's warmer than outside, and yellow as it's dark ( you're sort of 'forcing' it with those conditions!

I only ask about the type of tree/shrub cos I've had misnamed bushes/trees from Lidl before now

[FB.]

[QUOTE=Mcbee;312890]But i wonder if the trees / bushes had been kept really well chilled by Lidl's to help with storage. When they have then been put in stores (and then taken home) they experienced a significant change in the ambient temperature which made then act like it was spring. So i wonder if it was ultimately how they were stored that has caused the trees to act this way? [QUOTE]

That may well be what's happening.

[FB.]

Are you SURE it's a pear tree???

Looks a bit like a currant bush...or are there loads in the bucket?

Yep..the shoots are there cos it's warmer than outside, and yellow as it's dark ( you're sort of 'forcing' it with those conditions!

I only ask about the type of tree/shrub cos I've had misnamed bushes/trees from Lidl before now

I'm pretty sure they're pears.