Festooning!

[Bigmallly]

I follow this method:

[mothhawk]

Thanks, BM, that's a lot clearer to me now, you're just making the basic shape by festooning, as with espalier, then treat pretty much as espaliers.

I was imagining you had to let all the new growth get long and bend it down every year.

[Penellype]

That's great BM, I was also worried that the weight of the bottles might break the stems if they were thrashed about in the wind. Its good to know they can be taken off when the branches have taken on their new shape.

[Bigmallly]

Yes it's surprising how quickly the branches assume their new shape.

[Glutton4...]

What a fab thread!

[spamvindaloo]

I think I might try this with my plums. BM (or anybody else), do you have an idea how much weight you used. Wondered how big and how full your bottles were as something like a 2 litre plastic milk bottle filled with water would weigh 2kg (plus the bottle which is fairly negligible) and that seems a lot, don't want to damage the branch. Also, did you build the weight up or just put the full weight on from day one. Cheers

[Bigmallly]

Tie an empty container to the branch then slowly pour water in till you have the desired effect. You could also screw a lid on to stop rain getting into the container.

[spamvindaloo]

Tie an empty container to the branch then slowly pour water in till you have the desired effect. You could also screw a lid on to stop rain getting into the container.

Cheers, so you just went for the full bend right from the off? Weren't you worried they might snap?

[Bigmallly]

Branches are really supple, you will know when you have the right bend. If you are worried, you can always pour some water out & add it later but yes, I went for the bend I reqd & have no snapped branches yet.

[skeggijon]

I think I might try this with my plums.

OH was reading over my shoulder and burst out laughing, suggesting I try too

[Snadger]

Brought back some old memories of past contributors in the early part of this thread!

Nothing really to add apart from I was wondering what would be the effect if using fruit trees with non dwarfing rootstocks? (Not that its stopped me experimenting in the past!)

[Bigmallly]

Hey up Snadge. I did an experiment last year on an established Apple Tree. I pulled some branches down with a large hook so that I could attach the weights. Not only were the festooned branches easier to pick but they were more productive.

[Bigmallly]

Just thought I'd pop a pic up of a tree I festooned last year, I think it has fruited better than expected as the branch is about a foot off the ground..................

[Bigmallly]

A 2nd Apple Tree has just had its Summer haircut. I must say Festooning has increased the yield, all the fruit are between 4ft & 6ft off the ground................Did anyone else get round to trying it & how did it go?

[lottie dolly]

I did not get any fruit trees in the end,and glad not,as they would have got neglected by the way my year is,but pleased your experiment worked for you,and thankyou for sharing.