Have Your Fruit Trees Disappointed?

[FB.]

.

Have you tried to grow fruit trees and they gave an unsatisfatory performance?

Having spoken to some other serious fruit growers recently, I am wondering whether the commonly available fruit trees from nurseries and garden centres are not performing anything like as well as is claimed.

If you've had problems or not been happy with your fruit trees for any reason whatsoever, I would be very interested to hear what type of trees you tried (your approximate location, soil type, fruit variety and rootstock if known - and any known "issues" with your climate or soil) and why you were not happy with the performance of your trees.

When I say fruit trees, I mean the likes of apples, pears, plums and cherries (whether grown as trees, cordons, espaliers etc).
I do not mean fruit bushes (such as currants), or vines, or "exotic" fruits that are known to be temperamental in the UK climate.

Additionally, even if you haven't had troublesome trees, if you have an idea of what would be the ideal characteristics of a fruit tree for your needs, please feel free to add a comment.

If enough people really are having problems, I might start gearing-up for low-cost production of fruit trees which address the shortcomings of what is currently available from the majority of suppliers.


Thanks,
FB

[dave_norm_smith]

The only one I currently have is an apricot. The branches are actually bending this year with the crop (our third year). I would however be interested in fruit trees (plum, cherry, gages) that will happily grow in pots with a reasonable yield. I've seen offers in suppliments but I would prefer something more than a six inch twig for my money or paying £40 a pop for them? Any ideas?

[northepaul]

I have an irish peach apple on M27 in a huge pot, which didnt produce any blossom this year, although only its second year, it is very healthy other than that. My gage also in a pot no blossom very healthy. My damsons, one in the ground (its heavy acidic clay) and one in a pot both blossomed profusely, and bore fruit (I allowed the pot one to keep it, but removed the ground one's). The ground one has been very badly attacked by mealybugs, which were super early, proir to this it was growing very well. I have acouple of other trees which are only first years....

[FB.]

northepaul

Irish Peach bears a lot of its fruit on the tips of branches. In some locations, Irish Peach only fruits on the unpruned tips of branches.

[chris]

I've had problems with a dwarf aprigold (from the well known "brand" / label sold in most garden centres). Terrible leaf curl, and now I think it's gone.

I've also had from the same label I believe a fig tree die, for no reason (brown turkey). Both were in pots not grown in the soil.. The fig, I'm at a loss. The leaf curl, perhaps it had it before I had it - I'm not sure.

I have, however had great success from an irish brand I believe.. coronet ? On an M27. Despite being on such a dwarfing rootstock, it's performed really well (in no doubt thanks to your advice). They do however say that they're the unique provider of such trees.. so that might be an avenue for you to explore. Coronet, The Miniature Apple Tree I believe.. I'll have to check the label to confirm as on my phone!

[chris]

(oh and good luck! ).

[FB.]

dave norm smith

Try to get hold of two-year-old bushes on the following rootstocks:
M26 (apple)
Quince C (pear)
Pixy (plum)
Gisela 5 (cherry)

Once they are close to the final size you need, switch to pruning the new growth hard in July, leaving only 1-3 inches of new growth. Sometimes they require an additional light prune in September.

In my area, I can find two-year-old, container-grown, part-trained bushes for about £15 (about 4ft high and 3ft wide). At discount stores you may be able to find them for less, but the choice may be limited.

[FB.]

Chris

I'm not looking to make money out of it (I'll stick to trading financial markets for the ££££) - I'm looking to address shortcomings in the current ranges available.
As a veteran fruit grower, I think that I could produce baby fruit trees that are superior to what is generally available.
As an example: you're probably well aware of my friendly banter with this forum's other apple fan "Mell" (now banned?) regarding my disrespect for most-commonly-used apple rootstock MM106 due to its erratic soil/climate growth rate and its susceptibility to diseases.

[chris]

shortcomings as in variety, or vigour?

Sounds good though, wish I had the space to do something like that Yes, I did see the banter - not sure why Mell was banned, happened before I was asked to be a mod!

[FB.]

Chris

All kinds of shortcomings - erratic size-to-soil-type response, poor disease resistance, poor pest resistance, needing lots of care, limited choice of varieties and so on.

But I'm not even sure what most people want from a fruit tree, nor even how big (or small) they want it to be. A lot of people seem to want fruit trees more as "pets" - to love, stroke and talk to - rather than as "servants". Lots of people seem to rush for the chemical sprays the moment their little darling gets a few spots - fearing its imminent death.
My fruit trees are servants; hard-as-nails and perfectly able to look after themselves against pests, diseases, droughts, neglect, damage and difficult soil conditions. My trees serve me, and in return, they get a place to live.
Do people even grow the old-type half-standards (about 4 metres) or standards (5-6 metres) in their gardens nowadays? Or are gardens too small?

But if most people are happy with current offerings, then I'd be wasting my time.

[chris]

I think they'd be a market for it, especially the "forgotten" types - it always swings back round in full circles.

As you probably know, most "new" houses have smaller gardens so they can cram more in the housing plot... As GYO is becoming so popular again, I suspect that smaller trees would be favoured. That said, knowledge probably is lacking - as you've said before if you know how to prune properly, you can control the tree!

Curious as to how you'd tackle the erratic size-to-soil-type though? Would you instruct people to do a soil test to best advise?

[northepaul]

Thanks FB, I think you told me that already regarding Irish peach. It was not pruned prior to the spring as its still a small stick like tree. I think its because if the cold winter and being an early variety.

[Seahorse]

FB, I'd be first in the queue to buy quality heritage fruit trees from you!

I have an apple tree, established long before I bought this house, which is pretty but the fruits are bland and boring, so I have reluctantly decided that it has to go. Also a 'Tomcot' apricot from T&M, which has never even blossomed, never mind fruited in five years, despite being on a south facing wall. Two of my eBay fig trees died over winter (perhaps understandable given it was a fairly harsh one). My only self planted success is my Morello cherry - from Lidl's bargain bucket and planted on a north wall that gets no sun at all!

If it helps, I'd be most interested in proper flavoursome apples and plums.

[BroadRipple]

FB, as you know I would love a solution to my own tragic story of failed apple-tree growing. Was very surprised that mine have failed - as discussed it may be my fault for letting the woolly aphid win, but the canker the nursery diagnosed didn't seem nearly as bad as it looks on the internet...
By the way I've been meaning to tell you, my 2 trees were M26, so am even more confused as to why they failed...

[dave_norm_smith]

Thanks for the reply FB. I've just got back from my hols and just picked up the reply.

As Chris has already mentioned, the old sizes of trees for most people are out so I believe the ability to grow a decent tree in a pot will become increasingly desirable. Plus they are going to be easier to net to protect the fruit from birds.

What size pot do you feel these two year old plants should be grown in, as well as the ideal soil mix?

Dave