Bramley Seedling Apple ... do I need a polination partner for it

[wbmkk]

I want to plant a Bramley Seedling tree on my new allotment. Cooking apples are always expensive to buy and as a kid, I remember this type of tree doing very well indeed.

I notice that is is classed as sterile, so I would, in theory need another tree to go with it.

However, there are several apple trees dotted around the allotment site .. would I be OK with a single tree ... or would I be wise to buy a pollinator for it. if so, which one.

My parents had a Laxton's Superb, in their garden which was bought at the same time as the Bramley, but I don't ever remember it ever producing any apples of value ... unlike the Bramley, which always cropped very well. Mum's apple crumble was always a favourite of both my father and myself.

thanks for any advice

[starloc]

On an allotment site I would presume that there would be lots of apple trees as well as the chance of these being correct type, someone else will probably be growing Bramleys as they are quite popular and they will have probably sorted out the pollination partners for it

I would presume it will be fine on its own due to location and other trees, if not add some small trees next year for pollination the year after

[Kirk]

You need another apple to pollinate the Bramley, it is not self fertile, and it's pollen is sterile. So it will not pollinate another.

Hence your parents situation is correct.
The Laxton's Superb would pollinate the Bramley but the Bramley would not pollinate the Laxton's Superb, they would need a third apple to pollinate the Laxton's Superb and it would not have to be a triploid - they are the types like bramley that have sterile pollen.

[boundtothesoil]

However, there are several apple trees dotted around the allotment site ..

I agree with starloc. If there are other apple trees on the site, then I wouldn't bother planting a pollination partner, unless you actually want another apple tree for the fruit. Bees can fly for miles, plus one of the trees on the site is bound to overlap, at least to some extent, with part or all of the flowering period of your Bramley's.

[TrialAndError]

Your Bramley is a triploid which means not only that it needs to be fertilised by another apple tree (flowering at the same time) but also that it cannot fertilise other apple trees.

It is in pollination group 4 which means, in all likelihood, that other apple trees in groups 3, 4 and 5, which are not triploid, can fertilise it. About 70% of apple trees grown in gardens and allotments will therefore be able to fertilise it so you stand a very good chance that someone on your allotment will have a suitable tree.

Whilst bees can fly large distances they tend not to if enough food is nearby but your average allotment should be small enough to not pose a problem for bees flying around at the relevant time of year.

Good luck. If your Bramley flowers but doesn't produce fruit then you will know that you have a pollination problem and the most likely cause, but not the only one, is lack of a pollinator. There are simple solutions to this but I'm sure that wont happen.

[wbmkk]

Bees can fly for miles

I actually intend putting a couple of hives on my allotment next year ... assuming all goes well and the price of bees is a wee bit less than they were this year. A colleague on the course had to pay £300 for a nucleus of bees. They had 2 hives ready, but at that price decided one colony would do, at least for a start.

I did a beekeeping course this year, but decided in the end my garden wouldn't be suitable .. the ideal spot I had in mind would only do for one hive and starting with only one, is far from ideal. Luckily the allotment association allows hives, so that should help my apple tree.
of course, as many beekeepers will tell you .. bees seem to always prefer the neighbours garden than 'their own'

[yummersetter]

What rootstock are you thinking of getting? Bramleys can become huge trees.

[yummersetter]

Just a suggestion - as you can buy Bramleys fairly easily ( maybe even on your allotment site ). I'm just getting to the end of my supplies of a great cooking apple which we've been eating for about 8 weeks now. I think its far better than Bramley, very smooth texture, like butter, when cooked, great flavour, diploid, sensible sized tree and a truly handsome apple, huge and disease free. Flowering group 3 so not difficult to find pollination partners. Look at Peasgood Nonsuch. You won't find it in the shops so the only way you'll taste it is to grow it.

[Bill HH]

We had a huge Bramley on the farm. It never failed to produce tons of apples (I loved em raw in slices dipped in a saucer of sugar)I was not aware of any other apple trees for at least 2 miles so the bees travelled that far at least. You should do fine with it.

[wbmkk]

What rootstock are you thinking of getting? Bramleys can become huge trees.

Never thought about that yet !

I don't need a very small tree .. 3 - 4 m in height would probably be OK, ie when it matures.

Maybe an M106 rootstock would be OK

I'll grow it on part of my allotment, between where I intend putting a shed and a spot for my bees.

I still have to give this whole allotment design a good thinking over, so I get it right.

[yummersetter]

My Bramleys are about 30ft high x 20ft across. The oldest is close to 100 years old, the youngest was planted 25 years ago, so maybe something you needn't worry about for a while.