Cherry pyramid problem

[pixie]

We splashed out on a cherry pyramid to put against a sturdy east facing fence in our limited garden, as we don't have the space for a proper tree, but it really hasn't done anything. When I bought it in early March, it had loads of buds on it, it was transported carefully and put in the ground with lots of fresh compost and water the same day. We have kept it watered. We did have some frost soon after I got it. It looks almost the same as when I got it - buds (now browny coloured and not looking like they will amount to anything) and 2 green leaves. Could the 'shock' of transfer from the garden centre to our garden have put it off track this year? Is there anything I can feed it to bring it back to life? Have I just wasted my money? Any advice appreciated!

[SimonCole]

I think garden centres charge too much for the value of the fruit trees we get. There was a time when a nursery was just that and you'd place your order while a lad went out to dig up your desired trees. Now they dig up great heaps of trees, bung them into lorries and stick them into rows when they get to the garden centre. There they sit for several months before we can even get our hands on them.

Having said that, I hope your tree perks up a bit and anticipate the problem just being that of all new trees... they take a while to establish.

[valmarg]

pixie, I think the 'east facing location' is part of the problem. You say you had frosts after it was planted. The tree would get frosted, then when the sun came up it would get frazzled. The two conditions will not have done the tree any favours.

The ideal location for a cherry tree is south facing. Next best is west facing. It is obviously a young tree, and if you can move it to a more suitable location, it could help.

valmarg

[andrewo]

It's the location, you have given it a double whammy, east facing wall with eastern frost means the wall never warms up and retains the cold and releases it back into the plant during the night! Move to south facing location if possible, if not, suggest that you contact the garden centre and try and get your money back and then buy your trees from fruit nurseries, they can give you the best advice. There is the heritage fruit centre, can't remember the location - I saw it on a special GW with Sarah Raven doing her own fruit orchard.

[Flummery]

Brogdale? Could that be the place?

[andrewo]

That's it!