Apple tree not blossomed

[Chocolate8me]

We have an apple tree/bush in the garden (don't know variety as it was here when we moved in) which had small apples on this time last year. This year it hasn't even managed to blossom. Is it the weather?

The tree has leaves on & looks in decent condition.

[orangepippin]

If you have had blossom or fruit in previous years, but not this year, the most likely cause is incorrect pruning and/or bad spring weather.

Blossom comes from fruit buds, and surprisingly these don't grow in the spring, but actually form the previous summer ... so if you get carried away with pruning you might accidentally cut them all off.

[FB.]

Lots of possible reasons for no fruit - roughly in order of their likelihood:

-

Not many bees flying due to cold/wet at blossom time.

Tree is biennial.

Tree was carelessly pruned (tip bearer).

Blossom damaged by frost or bad weather.

Soil is depleted - especially low in potassium (not very common if the rootstock is vigorous).

.

But you imply that it didn't blossom, so it can't be lack of bees or frost damage.

So either it's bienial, or it's a carelessly-pruned tip-bearer.

[Chocolate8me]

I didn't prune it so it can't be that either.

I will look up 'biennial' apple tree as I thought they produced fruit every year.

Thanks for your help, as always

[orangepippin]

Yes, biennial bearing could explain it. However biennialism normally means alternate very good and very poor years ... if you just had an ordinary crop last year rather than a bumper crop then it might not be biennial.

[Glutton4...]

One of my Customers has Apples in her garden. One of them has failed to blossom this year, whereas the others are fruiting nicely. It fruited very well last year. She has another that failed to blossom last year, but is fine this year.

[Chocolate8me]

Yes, biennial bearing could explain it. However biennialism normally means alternate very good and very poor years ... if you just had an ordinary crop last year rather than a bumper crop then it might not be biennial.

I know there was a crop but we only just moved into the house so I can't compare it to any previous years.

One of my Customers has Apples in her garden. One of them has failed to blossom this year, whereas the others are fruiting nicely. It fruited very well last year. She has another that failed to blossom last year, but is fine this year.

That's a relief. Thanks. I need to find out the variety so I can find how best to look after it, I shall post pics next year when there are apples